Entrepreneurial contexts are characterized by uncertainty, often requiring entrepreneurs to

adapt in order to tackle the corresponding challenges and succeed. While entrepreneurial success
may be explained by experiential learning, little is known as to why some experienced
entrepreneurs are more successful at adapting to uncertain conditions. It has been suggested that
these differences are due to enhanced cognitive resources that are analogous to those of experts.
Since expertise can be developed through self-regulated learning (SRL), our paper seeks to
explain the missing link between experience and entrepreneurial success. By drawing from
advances in expert research and a social cognitive view of self-regulation, we develop a process
oriented model of self-regulated entrepreneurial learning (SREL) in order to explain why expert
entrepreneurs are better able to self-regulate and adapt their behavior during uncertainty
(compared to novices and non-experts). We further develop empirically testable research
propositions, and discuss theoretical and practical implications for aspiring entrepreneurs and
entrepreneurs alike.

Scholars note the importance of emotion and cognition in entrepreneurship, thus we develop and
test a novel partial mediation model of emotional intelligence, interpersonal processes, and
venture performance in a large sample of entrepreneurs, defined as venture owner-managers. We
also test the moderating effect of gender on the proposed relationships. The results indicate that
emotional intelligence has both a direct effect on venture performance, and an indirect effect on
venture performance via interpersonal processes. Gender moderated the direct effect, with males
reporting higher performance, but was not significant in the indirect path of the model. We
discuss the implications and potential avenues for future research on this important topic.

The perception, pursuit, and exploitation of opportunity are central to entrepreneurship. While
relatively unfettered cognition, impulse, and behavior may favor perceiving and acting on
opportunities, such disinhibition may present a social liability and thus interfere with reaching
opportunity exploitation. This research examines the connection between disinhibition and
nascent opportunity pursuit. Drawing on psychological and entrepreneurial literature, this work
tests hypotheses related to the effects of disinhibition in a nascent entrepreneur on other
individuals. The results shed light on an important tension at the heart of early stage
entrepreneurship. Specifically, apparent disinhibition in a potential founder has sizable adverse
effects on others’ assessments: of the founder, of the likelihood of venture success, and of interest
in supporting (joining) the venture. These findings indicate that an individual factor impelling
individual entrepreneurial action presents a friction for advancing in the entrepreneurial process.
This research makes several contributions to existing literature. In relation to entrepreneurship,
it contributes needed insight into the social psychology of nascent opportunity pursuit. In relation
to the psychological sciences, it provides vocationally contextualized insight into disinhibition and
social cognition. Lastly, the research contributes to a developing disinhibition perspective of
entrepreneurial action.