Boundary conditions of the entrepreneurial passion-behavior link: the role of psychological resilience and grit

Purpose This study aims to examine the direct and interactive effects of entrepreneurial passion (EP), psychological resilience and grit on entrepreneurial behavior (EB). Drawing on broaden-and-build theory and resilience theory, the authors investigate whether each construct independently predicts EB and whether psychological resilience (PR) and grit jointly moderate the EP–EB relationship. Design/methodology/approach Survey data from a simple random sample of 265 university students in South Africa were analyzed using regression models with interaction terms. PROCESS Model 3 was used to test direct, two-way and three-way interaction effects. Findings Results confirm that EP is a significant positive predictor of EB. PR and grit each have independent effects, and a significant three-way interaction was found: the EP–EB relationship was strongest when individuals exhibited high levels of both PR and the perseverance-of-effort dimension of grit. These findings suggest that while EP provides initial motivation, PR and grit help sustain entrepreneurial engagement and persistence, particularly in challenging environments. Originality/value This study advances entrepreneurship research by examining the direct effects of EP, PR and grit on EB and by demonstrating that the influence of passion is jointly conditioned by resilience and grit. This moderated moderation framework offers a fresh perspective that builds on and extends prior research on the psychological enablers of entrepreneurial action.