Finding your passion: The influence of entrepreneurial passion on the career path of entrepreneurship graduates

Sammanfattning: Entrepreneurial passion (EP) has been hailed as a facilitator of venture performance,entrepreneurial skills, and psychological wellbeing. Yet, the concept is underexplored in entrepreneurship research, specifically among entrepreneurship graduates. This thesis aims to understand the influence of EP on the career path of entrepreneurship graduates by studying eight recent graduates from two Scandinavian, action-based entrepreneurship programs. Due to an inductive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with each graduate, complemented by the analysis of personal documents. The cross-case analysis identified common themes and dimensions. The empirical findings found relevance in applying the dualistic model of passion to EP, thereby acknowledging that EP is not by default positive. Furthermore, the nature and influence of EP were found to be influenced by the life stage (adolescence) and corresponding career stage (exploration) of graduates, characterised by explorative coping behaviour. Lastly, support was found for a more inclusive scope in entrepreneurship research that acknowledges EP can be fulfilled in a variety of career paths outside the scope of self-employment. As a result, this thesis suggests that future research on EP should; (1) Incorporate the dualistic model; (2) Acknowledge the influence of one’s life-, and corresponding career stage on their EP and career path; (3) Expand the scope of those fulfilling their EP to occupations outside self-employment.