Learning to fail: Three essays on risk attitudes, uncertainty, and entrepreneurship education

Abstract

This dissertation examines the impact of Entrepreneurship Education (EE) on first-time entrepreneurs (or nascent entrepreneurs) employing multiple methods in three separate studies. Essay one empirically examines regional differences in risk attitudes among first-time entrepreneurs to test the influence of culture on risk-taking and entrepreneurship. Essay two examines the impact of the Lean Startup Methodology (LSM) (embedded in an experiential learning program and a university startup accelerator) on the risk attitudes of nascent entrepreneurs using longitudinal data. Finally, essay three examines the persistence of nascent entrepreneurs, employing a qualitative methodology, in the early years of building an enterprise, wherein six cases of nascent entrepreneurs are described and compared. These studies contribute to the literature on entrepreneurship education research and provide insights to practice, especially for Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs), in educating and serving nascent entrepreneurs.