What lies behind entrepreneurial intentions? Exploring nascent entrepreneurs' early belief systems

Purpose Studies of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) have become increasingly common, informed usually by Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Although the TPB postulates that beliefs determine EIs, the contents of the beliefs have not been properly studied, leaving EIs' cognitive underpinnings and cognitive approaches to influencing EIs unclear. To clarify the TPB/EI-belief nexus, the study examines the conceptual background of entrepreneurial cognitions and elicits the beliefs of a group of nascent micro entrepreneurs (NMEs) to compare them with their TPB attitudes and EIs, facilitating assessing their mutual consistency as implied by the TBP. Design/methodology/approach The respondents are entrepreneurial novice clients of a micro business advisory organisation. Their TPB attitudes and EIs were measured using standard TPB/EI methods. Comparative causal mapping (CCM) combined with semi-structured interviewing was used to reveal the NMEs' typical belief systems, presented as aggregated cause maps. Findings The NMEs have uniform, relatively detailed belief systems about entrepreneurship and micro business. The belief systems are consistent with theory- and context-based expectations and logically aligned with the NMEs' expressed TPB attitudes and EIs. CCM provides an accessible method for studying contents of entrepreneurial cognitions. Research limitations/implications It was not possible to study "entrepreneurship-negative" respondents or the intensity or origins of some specific beliefs. Practical implications Diagnosing and better understanding beliefs can benefit entrepreneurship education and development, in general or connected with TPB/EI studies. Originality/value The study reveals entrepreneurial belief systems systematically, evidently not done before generally or in terms of "everyday" micro entrepreneurship or TPB. It clarifies and supports the TPB notion that beliefs underpin actors' attitudes and intentions.