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How Do Entrepreneurs Form Social Business Opportunity Beliefs? An Opportunity Actualization Perspective

Alexander Dominik Meister et al.

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice2026https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587251404873article
FT50AJG 4*ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

The opportunity actualization perspective has recently gained attention as a key framework for exploring entrepreneurial opportunity. The perspective’s theorizing, however, predominantly focuses on profit-driven opportunities, limiting its applicability across the spectrum of entrepreneurial behavior. To broaden applicability, we examine how entrepreneurs motivated by social and economic considerations form their opportunity beliefs. We use a qualitative research approach that combines think-aloud protocols and semi-structured interviews with 24 impact entrepreneurs. Our findings allow us to develop a holistic model of social business opportunity belief formation, incorporating market and non-economic considerations, emphasizing the role of non-market stakeholders. We derive important implications for both theory and practice.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587251404873

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@article{alexander2026,
  title        = {{How Do Entrepreneurs Form Social Business Opportunity Beliefs? An Opportunity Actualization Perspective}},
  author       = {Alexander Dominik Meister et al.},
  journal      = {Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587251404873},
}

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How Do Entrepreneurs Form Social Business Opportunity Beliefs? An Opportunity Actualization Perspective

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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

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