It wasn’t me: Entrepreneurial Failure Attribution and Learning from Failure

Riar, Frederik J.; Bican, Peter M.; Fischer, Jannes (2021). It wasn’t me: Entrepreneurial Failure Attribution and Learning from Failure. International journal of entrepreneurial venturing, 13(2), pp. 113-136. Inderscience Enterprises 10.1504/IJEV.2021.114385

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Can entrepreneurs learn from failure? Using frameworks from
attribution theory, we draw on unique qualitative data from entrepreneurs who
had experienced failure before re-engaging in entrepreneurial activities.
We find that the direction of failure attribution, as either attributed to external
or internal causes, affects learning from failure differently and propose that
while an excessive focus on self-attribution may harm future prospects of
entrepreneurial activity, over-attributing failure to external causes might
possibly hinder positive returns from learning from failure. Moreover, external
and internal aspects influence how entrepreneurs learn from previously failed
ventures. Failure shall not be romanticised, as it entails profound consequences
for attribution and its effects on learning. Implications for research on failure,
learning from failure, and attribution theory, as well as implications for practice
are further discussed. Propositions for future research endeavours are derived.

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