A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Entrepreneurial Intention and Behavior in Near and Distant Future

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to understand the entrepreneurial intention and behavior with respect to time scale using the theory of planned behavior and temporal construal theory. These theories suggest the new patterns to evaluate the entrepreneurial intention and behavioral outcomes using different time intervals which are classified into short-term, mid-term and long-term. A new perspective has identified to study the entrepreneurial intention and behavior with time fluctuation, based on the psychological distance and primitive action. The aim of identifying the temporal construal for intention and behavior is to encourage future entrepreneurship research to contribute new knowledge that will support institutions to design better strategy. The exploratory research study discusses the potential temporal spectrum of intentions and behavior and propose a conceptual framework to study the short, mid and long term entrepreneurial intent and behavior of an individual in the context of factor and efficiency driven economies. This paper is an extension of published studies on entrepreneurial intention to constrict the future research into time scale and proposes new research directions to address the gaps.