Complementary or supplementary? Comparing the antecedents’ effects on perceived entrepreneurial fit

Abstract

Perceived person-entrepreneurship fit is often overlooked in the field of entrepreneurship despite its significance. Studies have largely concentrated on objective individuals and external environment fit and paid less emphasis on perceived entrepreneurial fit, which is a more proximal factor towards individual’s attitude and behaviour. This paradigm shift began with Markman and Baron’s (2003) seminal article on person-entrepreneurship fit as an explanation for entrepreneurial success. Although recent studies have started to call for its importance, it is still a knowledge gap. How individuals without practical engagement in entrepreneurship can perceive if they are fit with entrepreneurship remains a question. Addressing this vague concept, the current study identified the antecedents of perceived entrepreneurial fit based on the supplementary fit and complementary fit. In particular, this study combined both classical entrepreneurial theory and fit theory and identified three antecedents of perceived entrepreneurial fit. The proposed model was tested based on a sample of 418 university students. The antecedents of entrepreneurial fit and its intermediary mechanism were analysed. Although supplementary fit, need-supply fit, and demand-ability fit are fundamentally distinct ways of conceptualising fit, it should be noted that these three viewpoints were not included in this study’s model analysis. The obtained results showed value congruence, valence, and entrepreneurial selfefficacy as significant antecedents of perceived entrepreneurial fit. The comparison of these three antecedents’ effects on perceived entrepreneurial fit revealed that entrepreneurial self-efficacy exhibited the strongest effect, followed by value congruence (medium effect), and valence (small effect). This study empirically identified and conceptualised the antecedents of perceived entrepreneurial fit, which expanded the understanding on the importance of perceived entrepreneurial fit and enriched the current literature on entrepreneurship. This study presented both theoretical and practical implications and recommendations for future research.