The entrepreneurial intention-action gap and psychological capital components: insights from social and commercial entrepreneurs

Purpose The entrepreneurial intention-action gap (EIA) is an intricate phenomenon as this study aims to understand why some individuals with entrepreneurial intentions (EI) do not engage in entrepreneurial action (business start-up). This study aims to investigate the psychological capital (PsyCap) components, hope, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience as mediators of the EIA gap. Design/methodology/approach In this quantitative study, a sample of 201 South African social and commercial entrepreneurs is surveyed. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the validity and reliability of the constructs whereafter mediation analysis is conducted using the bias-corrected bootstrapped confidence interval method. Findings Entrepreneurial action (EA), conventionally measured as a single construct, is investigated from a novel process perspective. Hope is established as a mediator between EI and the predecisional, preactional and actional phases. While resilience mediates the relationship between EI and the predecisional and preactional EA phases. The analysis of a Global South sample did not indicate a mediation effect for optimism and self-efficacy. Research limitations/implications A conceptual model is developed and tested which may assist in deepening the theoretical discussions regarding the EIA gap and be of interest to scholars aiming to understand the intersection between entrepreneurship and marketing. Practical implications Entrepreneurship training and support programmes can incorporate these PsyCap components and implement marketing strategies to enhance hope and resilience. Originality/value The novel role of hope and resilience as mediators between EI and EA is highlighted to assist prospective commercial as well as social entrepreneurs in the transition from EI to EA.