Entrepreneurial learning behaviours within the social context: an exploratory study of technology startups in Pakistan

Purpose This study aims to explore the role of social context in shaping entrepreneurial learning behaviours and how various learning behaviours influence on startup activities in an emerging society. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative data was collected through 43 semi-structured interviews with technology startup founders and co-founders that were incubated in public, private and university-based incubation centres across Pakistan. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings The findings of this study examine facilitation of three learning behaviours exclusive to startup founders. Proactive learning behaviour is a self-initiated learning from the available knowledge resources. It enables founders to exploit ideas and take immediate action to survive through the constraints to the entrepreneurial process. The exploratory learning behaviour is facilitated by entrepreneurial support infrastructure/institutions (incubation centres in this case) existing in any social context, which inculcate the spirit of experimentation and exploration. The collaborative learning behaviour develops through entrepreneurial networks and social interaction (e.g. family, teachers, peers and mentors). It contributes to collective problem-solving and learning from peers to avoid the same mistake to the failure. However, in emerging societies, where few members of the institutions play a powerful and authoritative role, both benefits and challenges to entrepreneurial learning behaviours would be expected. Originality/value This paper extends the scholarly work on entrepreneurial learning by offering novel perspectives on how social context shapes entrepreneurial learning behaviours that influence startup activities. It responds to the knowledge gaps existing in the literature for contextual qualitative studies related to entrepreneurial learning. The research argues that while proactive learning behaviour is predominately a self-initiated learning behaviour supported by the available resources, the exploratory and collaborative entrepreneurial learning behaviours are facilitated by friends, family, entrepreneurial networks and entrepreneurial support institutions/infrastructure existing in social context. Both exploratory and collaborative learning behaviours are equally crucial for startup survival.