F.A.I.L., First Attempt In Learning: What and How to Learn From an Unsuccessful Entrepreneurial Mentoring Process?

Abstract

THE AIM OF THE PAPER

The goal of the current study is to introduce typical failures in entrepreneurial mentoring processes in order to be able draw up a theoretical framework for successful mentoring relationship. Benchmarking could be useful in building up a model, but one could learn not only from good, but also from bad practices.

METHODOLOGY

The study is based on literature review and nine, semi-structured in-depth interviews – as a part of a mix-methodology research in topic of entrepreneurial mentoring process and its influencing factors – with a focus on unsuccessful mentoring relationships. Data were analysed by NVivo content analysing software.

MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS

According to results five intervention or developmental area could be identified as key influencers of a successful mentoring relationship: external effects (1), mentor-based factors (2), or mentee-based influencers (3), factors connecting frames (4) or iatrogenic, in-use effects (5).

RECOMMENDATIONS

The research highlighted, that effective and successful mentoring processes could be lead not only with the application of good practices, but also in a bad practice avoiding mode, where both the mentor and the mentee knows, what kind of factors could negatively influence the process and could lead an unexpected, before goal completion ending.