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Motivation is a central concept in entrepreneurship. However, current research over emphasizes personality traits combined with cognitive based motivations toward entrepreneurship. Surprisingly, the entrepreneurial motivations literature is disconnected from recent scholarly debates about entrepreneurial opportunity recognition processes. This paper propose theoretical developments in entrepreneurial motivation to identify new opportunities. We propose a multidimensional model that is based on intertwined processes in which both affective and cognitive based motivations shape opportunity recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study answers calls to examine the role of compassion and prosocial behavior (Miller et al, 2012), and opportunity recognition (OR) as process of interaction between entrepreneurs and their communities (Shepherd, 2015). Based on 32 life-story interviews social entrepreneurs, we develop a data-driven process model to explain the relations between compassion, identities, and OR. Compassion is an antecedent of OR. Empathy and sympathy provide different motivations for prosocial behavior. Founder's identity is related to compassion and OR based on affective-cognitive structural alignment. Study findings extend the theory on compassion as a motivational antecedent of prosocial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines entrepreneurial passion and components of entrepreneurial identity--sameness, otherness, and identity centrality and salience--in two different contexts, high-tech and social entrepreneurship. Based on life story interviews of 45 high-tech entrepreneurs (HTE) and social entrepreneurs (SEs), passion and identities are linked for each group but evolve differently from different influences. For HTEs, passion is composed of a strong challenge to lead a meaningful activity and to leave a 'fingerprint.' SE passion is characterized more in terms of enthusiasm and excitement and a desire to leave a mark. HTEs' identities are central to their self-concept, while SEs' identities can be more salient than central. SE identities are more synchronized than those of HTEs. For HTEs, otherness is dominant in their self-concept; however, they also maintain a concept of sameness. The findings of this study expand the literature on entrepreneurial identities by showing how passion and identities are interrelated differently among entrepreneurs who operate in different contexts. In addition, this study also expands the literature on entrepreneurial identities and affect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the interrelation between motivations and opportunity recognition of social entrepreneurs. Based on life stories analysis of 30 Israeli social bricoleurs,our findings indicate that motivations fell into two larger categories, pull and push factors. The majority of bricoleurs were pull driven and emotionally motivated by personal life events. Pull driven bricoleurs were also motivated by social awareness since childhood and ideological beliefs. Push factors bricoleurs were motivated mostly by career development considerations. Opportunity recognition by bricoleurs driven by pull factors was based on their past of present experience and a strong desire to solve social problems. Opportunity recognition by bricoleurs driven by push factors was based on identification with social needs. Based on the empirical findings we expand the current literature by presenting a theoretical process model that is grounded on empirical findings. We suggest that social bricoleurs motivations explains that antecedents of social awareness and opportunity recognition. Life events are considered as emotional motivations and are interrelated to opportunity recognition of unmeet social needs. Pull motivations are associated with transformation of personal experience into social action. On the other hand, career development considerations and personal values also serves and antecedents for identification with social needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]