Congruence of Mental Model of Entrepreneurship with Principles of Effectuation

Abstract

The article presents two models of entrepreneurship: the traditional (causal) and the effectuation model. In the causal model, strategic planning and competitiveness are considered to be crucial for the venture’s success. In the effectuation model the basis for success is the use of available resources, flexible response to emerging opportunities and building relationships. The aim of the article is to assess the congruence of the mental model of entrepreneurship held by students with the effectuation model. In the conducted research the emphasis was placed on four elements of the mental model: company’s strategy, utilisation of its resources, attitude to risk and attitude to other entities operating on the market. A questionnaire containing 39 items referring to the above-mentioned aspects was used. Participants assessed the extent to which those items described an effective business enterprise. The results indicate that students’ mental model is more congruent with the causal approach. The only aspect that integrates certain elements of causal, as well as effectual assumptions, is company’s strategy. Some differences in man and woman mental model were discovered. Results of the research were used to develop recommendations for shaping entrepreneurial attitudes which include: the need to develop effectual approach in Polish students’ entrepreneurial education, especially in the area of effectual coopetition, treating risk as a safety brake and focusing on possessed resources