arbiter
JournalsAccount

Opportunity confidence and idea revision: How assessments by others shape idea work

Martin Wurzer et al.

International Small Business Journal2026https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426261416519article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

While opportunity beliefs, specifically the confidence in the viability of a new venture idea, are recognised as key drivers of entrepreneurial processes, the mechanisms through which they function remain unclear. We hypothesise that individuals adjust their opportunity confidence according to the valence of external assessments, with this effect amplified when the assessment comes from a prestigious source. Furthermore, we hypothesise that lower levels of opportunity confidence subsequently motivate efforts to revise the new venture idea. In two vignette experiments, we find empirical support for our hypotheses. In so doing, we offer insights into the cognitive mechanism through which assessment can motivate efforts to revise the content of new venture ideas as a way to (re)direct the entrepreneurial processes.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426261416519

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{martin2026,
  title        = {{Opportunity confidence and idea revision: How assessments by others shape idea work}},
  author       = {Martin Wurzer et al.},
  journal      = {International Small Business Journal},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426261416519},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Opportunity confidence and idea revision: How assessments by others shape idea work

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.