Drivers and Consequents of Entrepreneurial Self Efficacy of Grass Roots Innovators A Study of Northern and Western Region of India

Abstract

Grassroots innovation, a bottom-up approach to innovation initiated by local communities and individuals, has gained increasing attention in recent years. In the current entrepreneurial environment, innovators and entrepreneurs face new challenges due to increasing competition and changing circumstances, as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these challenges, the antecedents and consequents of entrepreneurial self-efficacy are undergoing transition. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the antecedents and consequents of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the current context of grassroots innovators. newlineA comprehensive framework of entrepreneurial self-efficacy was developed through an extensive literature review. A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect data from grassroots innovators, with qualitative data gathered through surveys from 300 potential entrepreneurs and through interviews from 10 grassroots innovators in the northern and western regions of India. newlineThe study found that only two antecedents, mentoring and personality traits have a significant relationship with entrepreneurial self-efficacy out of the three antecedents examined. Additionally, all three consequents examined, effectual logic, ingenuity, and resourcefulness, were found to have a significant relationship with entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Moderators did not show any significant relationship with the antecedents and consequents of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, while government policies and NGOs were found to play a crucial role in shaping entrepreneurial self-efficacy among grassroots innovators. newlineThe study concludes by emphasizing the importance of promoting entrepreneurial self-efficacy among grassroots innovators through the identified antecedents and consequents. Furthermore, the study recommends policy measures to support these innovators and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in India. newline newline