The nexus of entrepreneurial vision, role models and perceived entrepreneurial opportunities: exploring entrepreneurial grit paradox

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PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of entrepreneurial individual vision and entrepreneurial role models on perceived entrepreneurial opportunities resulting from the COVID-19 crisis while assessing the moderating role of entrepreneurial grit (passion and perseverance).Design/methodology/approachThe research adopts an applied path analysis method using Hayes' PROCESS MACRO with SPSS. The statistical population consists of early-stage entrepreneurs participating in Iran’s 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor international research program.FindingsThe results indicate that regardless of gender, age and education of participants, the “entrepreneurial individual vision” of early-stage entrepreneurs has a direct positive impact on their perception of entrepreneurial opportunities arising from COVID-19. Moreover, due to the challenging circumstances during the crisis, the role model of successful entrepreneurs who began their ventures during the pandemic influences early-stage entrepreneurs. That is to say, the role model has an impact on the perceived entrepreneurial opportunities resulting from COVID-19.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has focused exclusively on early-stage entrepreneurs. Hence, it is suggested that further research explores the influence of entrepreneurial vision characteristics among both early-stage and established entrepreneurs. Additionally, examining the interactions between their entrepreneurial role models, perseverance and types of entrepreneurial passion in relation to the perceived opportunities arising from the COVID-19 crisis would be valuable.Practical implicationsIn critical situations, early-stage entrepreneurs persevere by maintaining a resilience spirit and stress management. As a result, they could identify new entrepreneurial opportunities in line with their entrepreneurial vision. Nevertheless, early-stage entrepreneurs should postpone exploiting those opportunities until a time close to the final stages of the crisis. Early-stage entrepreneurs should redefine a clear and effective entrepreneurial individual vision. Furthermore, they should firstly reinforce their growth mindset; secondly, apply a servant leadership style to their startups in order to enhance grit; and finally translate their vision into a shared vision in line with the expansion of their role models.Social implicationsDuring times of crisis, societies require early-stage entrepreneurs, who possess an individual entrepreneurial vision, have access to entrepreneurial role models and exhibit perseverance to identify and capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities generated by the COVID-19 crisis.Originality/valueUnlike normal situations, during the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurial grit (passion and perseverance) exhibits a mixed and paradoxical moderating effect; the entrepreneurial grit-passion dimension weakens the positive effect of “entrepreneurial vision” on “perceived entrepreneurial opportunities caused by COVID-19.” This is while the entrepreneurial grit-perseverance dimension normally strengthens this positive effect. Therefore, the Entrepreneurial Grit Paradox is the most important contribution of the study. In contrast with prevalent theoretical perspectives such as the views of Blank (2020) and Rise (2011), early-stage businesses begin with the entrepreneurial individual vision, grit-perseverance and their entrepreneurs' role models in crisis times.