Perceived progress variability and entrepreneurial effort intensity: The moderating role of venture goal commitment

•We conducted an experience sampling study involving 111 early-stage entrepreneurs surveyed twice daily over three months.•Within-person perceived progress positively predicted entrepreneurial effort intensity.•Perceived progress variability over time negatively predicted entrepreneurial effort intensity.•Venture goal commitment attenuated the negative impact of perceived progress variability on entrepreneurial effort intensity.

Drawing on entrepreneurial motivation and goal striving literatures, we examined the dynamic relationship between momentary perceived progress, or an ongoing sense of how one is doing in the pursuit of one's venture goal, and entrepreneurial effort intensity among early-stage entrepreneurs who are based in business incubators. We also examined how perceived progress variability over time predicted entrepreneurial effort intensity, and whether venture goal commitment moderated this link. Experience-sampling data collected from over one hundred early-stage entrepreneurs indicated that perceived progress predicted greater effort intensity. Moreover, perceived progress variability over time negatively predicted entrepreneurial effort intensity, and venture goal commitment attenuated this negative relationship. Theoretical and practical implications of our study to entrepreneurial motivation and goal striving research are discussed.