Entrepreneurial propensity for market analysis in the time of COVID-19: benefits from individual entrepreneurial orientation and opportunity confidence

This paper illustrates nascent entrepreneurs’ decision-making process during the COVID-19 pandemic and sheds light on determinants and mechanisms of entrepreneurial action. It examines the mediating role of opportunity confidence in the relation between the individual entrepreneurial orientation and the entrepreneurial propensity for market analysis (EPMA). Furthermore, it investigates the moderating role of entrepreneurship entry mode (opportunity vs. necessity) concerning our research model. Applying the theory of reasoned action (TRA), we could verify the mediating role of opportunity confidence. The findings also show that the impact of individual entrepreneurial orientation on EPMA and opportunity confidence is independent of entrepreneurial entry mode. In contrast, entrepreneurial entry mode can moderate the relation between opportunity confidence and EPMA. Results are discussed and research implications are provided.