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International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal

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16-05-2017

Regulatory focus, environmental turbulence, and entrepreneur improvisation

Authors: Lingyu Hu, Jibao Gu, Jianlin Wu, Augustine A. Lado

Published in: International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Improvisation is increasingly recognized as a critical strategy used by entrepreneurs for effectively dealing with unexpected events. Nevertheless, limited effort has been exerted in the investigation of the antecedents of entrepreneur improvisation. This study proposes and analyzes regulatory focus as an important antecedent of entrepreneur improvisation, and examines the moderating role of environmental turbulence in this relationship. Data are obtained from a two-wave survey of 99 entrepreneurs in the largest economic area in China. Empirical results indicate that promotion focus (but not prevention focus) is significantly related to entrepreneur improvisation. Furthermore, environmental turbulence significantly moderates the relationship between prevention focus and entrepreneur improvisation. These findings advance the understanding of entrepreneur improvisation and regulatory focus theory, and provide practical implications for entrepreneurs, investors and boards of directors.

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Title: Regulatory focus, environmental turbulence, and entrepreneur improvisation
Authors: Lingyu Hu
Jibao Gu
Jianlin Wu
Augustine A. Lado
Publication date: 16-05-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1554-7191
Electronic ISSN: 1555-1938
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-017-0446-7

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