Why We Plan: The Impact of Nascent Entrepreneurs' Cognitive Characteristics and Human Capital on Business Planning

We examine the impact of nascent entrepreneurs' cognitive attributes and human capital on business planning behavior. We find that entrepreneurial self-efficacy facilitates development of formal business plans and entrepreneurial perseverance promotes engaging in business planning activities. Further, advanced academic education leads nascent entrepreneurs to engage in business planning activities and create formal business plans, but prior work experience has a marginal effect on business plan formality. The results further indicate that a nascent entrepreneur's striving for outside financing promotes business planning activities, while being in a supportive environment or a member of a business association does not impact business planning behavior.