Entrepreneurs often find themselves preoccupied with the spectre of losing their hard-earned resources in the event of a business failure rather than being lured by the prospects of gains. Their inclination towards embarking on a new business venture often hinges on their belief in their ability to manage potential losses, prompting the adoption of a variety of strategic approaches.
These strategies encompass securing funds with flexible repayment terms, such as borrowing from accommodating family members or opting for smaller, incremental investments over a grand initial plunge. In certain instances, entrepreneurs may even invest their time, knowledge, or underutilized resources in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
To decipher these strategies, we turn to the vantage point of behavioural economics and the concept of “affordable loss.” This concept provides insight into how the fear of loss can overshadow the allure of gain, motivating entrepreneurs to ensure they can weather potential setbacks. Nonetheless, the underlying reasons behind these concerns about potential losses remain somewhat enigmatic.
One frequently overlooked factor in this equation is the impact of entrepreneurs’ apprehensions about sustaining their family’s financial well-being on their willingness to shoulder potential losses. Economic well-being is intrinsically linked to a household’s material living standards (MLS), a composite determined by their income, wealth, and consumption options. Especially in the nascent stages of entrepreneurship, maintaining an acceptable MLS can be a formidable challenge, often defying conventional economic presumptions. Unfortunately, scholars too often delineate a sharp line between an entrepreneur’s personal life and their business decisions.
A comprehensive perspective necessitates the consideration of the entrepreneurial household. This perspective not only opens avenues to resources from extended family and business networks but also illuminates how concerns about potential threats to their material living standards influence their perception of affordable losses.
The concept of MLS emerges as a pivotal reference point in the decision-making process. This minimum standard signifies the fundamental income and wealth required to cover basic needs and uphold the existing standard of living. Any investment in a new business is thus in competition with the funds essential for maintaining this minimum standard, thereby creating a dilemma between current consumption and future investment.
Entrepreneurs’ choices should not be viewed in isolation; broader motivations come into play, notably the well-being of their loved ones. When entrepreneurs deliberate on affordable losses in their entrepreneurial journey, they are propelled not only by self-interest but also by the welfare of their families. Should the financial stability of their family hang in the balance, their willingness to engage in risky investments wanes.
An empirical study has explored four distinct household scenarios based on combinations of wealth and income, demonstrating how these factors sway the evaluation of affordable losses. In households where wealth is paramount for sustaining living standards, income may fall short, rendering wealth indispensable. In such cases, considerations like time and surplus wealth beyond the minimum MLS enter the equation when assessing affordable losses. Conversely, households endowed with both wealth and income tend to prioritize wealth in their assessment. Those dependent on income for their MLS focus on income streams surpassing the minimum MLS. Households with limited resources may predominantly weigh time-related considerations when evaluating affordable losses.
Entrepreneurs often grapple with the constraints of resource allocation owing to the diverse financial needs of their household members in the pursuit of enhanced economic well-being. An understanding of the financial dynamics of each household member aids scholars in comprehending how entrepreneurs navigate the uncertainties and irregularities of the early stages of their business ventures. Consequently, entrepreneurs may feel compelled to confine their experiments within a specific timeframe to ensure their households can revert to their desired living standards.
In conclusion, entrepreneurship transcends the realm of individual risk-taking; it is intricately woven with the financial well-being of the entrepreneur’s household. This expansive perspective illuminates the intricate interplay between personal and family interests in entrepreneurial decision-making. An understanding of these dynamics equips entrepreneurs to make more informed and balanced choices as they chart their course towards business success.
Insights by: Dr Jay Wasim and Parnia Ahmed