Tacit Triggers of Entrepreneurial Activity: Limitations of Current Theories
Tacit Triggers of Entrepreneurial Activity: Limitations of Current Theories

Author(s): Yuliyan Narlev
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Tacit knowledge; Entrepreneurial activity; Decision-making; Intuition; Failure and learning; Technological change
Summary/Abstract: Entrepreneurial activity is often influenced by tacit knowledge— unarticulated, experience-based insights—yet current theories primarily focus on rational decision-making models. This paper aims to address the limitations of these models by exploring the role of tacit triggers, such as intuition, cultural influences, and emotional factors, in entrepreneurial decision-making. The study reviews existing literature to identify key gaps, including an overemphasis on cognitive frameworks, insufficient consideration of social and cultural contexts, and a lack of focus on emotional and psychological triggers. Additionally, it examines the undervalued role of failure and the limited integration of technological change in existing theories. Methods include a critical review of key academic papers and books, drawing on insights from entrepreneurship theory, cognitive science, and knowledge management. The study synthesizes these perspectives to propose a more comprehensive understanding of tacit triggers in entrepreneurial activity. Results show that current theories are overly reliant on rational models, which fail to account for the intuitive and non-cognitive dimensions of entrepreneurial action. The review highlights the need for greater attention to cross-cultural variations, emotional resilience, and the role of failure as a learning tool. Conclusion: To better understand the complex nature of entrepreneurship, future research should expand beyond rational models to include the emotional, social, and cultural dimensions of tacit knowledge. Moreover, there is a need for further exploration of how digital tools and technological advancements are reshaping the way entrepreneurs acquire and utilize tacit knowledge. This paper calls for more interdisciplinary research that integrates psychological, cultural, and technological factors into theories of entrepreneurial decision-making.

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