Explain the McMullen-Shepherd Model.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The McMullen-Shepherd Model is a theoretical framework in entrepreneurship that explains how individuals decide to act on entrepreneurial opportunities. Developed by Jeffery McMullen and Dean Shepherd in 2006, the model focuses on the cognitive process of opportunity recognition and evaluation. It emphasizes two key stages: entrepreneurial attention and evaluation, which are influenced by an individual’s knowledge, motivation, and perceived feasibility and desirability of the opportunity.
Correct Answer:
The McMullen-Shepherd Model proposes that entrepreneurial action results from how individuals interpret and evaluate opportunities based on personal knowledge and motivation. It involves two stages: (1) attention to potential opportunities influenced by prior knowledge and alertness, and (2) evaluation of these opportunities through perceived desirability (value) and feasibility (capability to act).
300-Word Explanation:
The McMullen-Shepherd Model offers a structured view of how entrepreneurs identify and pursue opportunities. It builds on the concept of entrepreneurial cognition, acknowledging that not everyone sees the same opportunities the same way. The model has two main components: opportunity attention and opportunity evaluation.
- Opportunity Attention:
This phase involves recognizing or noticing potential opportunities. An individual’s prior knowledge, such as industry experience or education, and their entrepreneurial alertness affect whether they notice an opportunity. This attention is not random—it’s shaped by what the person already knows and what they’re motivated to look for. - Opportunity Evaluation:
Once an opportunity is noticed, the person evaluates whether to act on it. This involves assessing desirability (Is this opportunity worth pursuing?) and feasibility (Can I actually do this?). These judgments are subjective and depend on personal goals, resources, and risk tolerance.
The model also distinguishes between third-person opportunity (recognized by external observers) and first-person opportunity (considered actionable by the individual). Only when a person sees an opportunity as both desirable and feasible does it become a first-person opportunity, prompting entrepreneurial action.
Overall, the McMullen-Shepherd Model integrates psychological and contextual factors, offering a nuanced view of how individuals move from seeing to seizing entrepreneurial opportunities.