Self-identity at the early stage of the new business idea formation: The role of entrepreneurial passion

Recent studies show that passion and other components of the self-identity, such as values and dreams, energize motivation and inspire individuals to persist through the challenges associated with the entrepreneurial endeavors and impact on entrepreneurial effectiveness. The extant research focuses on adult entrepreneurs and considers only passions related to work or entrepreneurial-specific activities, such as founding, inventing and developing, neglecting passions values and dreams that may influence a young individual to express the intent to undertake an entrepreneurial career. Through an empirical study on a sample of Italian students, who were completing their academic experience and expressed the intent to become entrepreneurs, this paper adds to the recent literature by conceptualizing new themes associated to the different components of self-identity, considering further categories that may help to better measure passions, values and dreams. Furthermore, our study contributes to the understanding and management of self-identity to direct more effectively entrepreneurial behaviors.