Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners (2025)

Abstract

Informal learning activities are increasingly acknowledged as significant for learning and development in modern workplaces. Yet, systematic research on effects of informal learning on work‐related outcomes remains scarce. The present research focuses on deliberate practice—a construct from cognitive‐psychological expertise research that describes effortful practice activities specifically designed to improve one's performance. We propose that deliberate practice can be applied informally at work and, in the context of entrepreneurship, may contribute to entrepreneurial success. In a longitudinal study with 132 small business owners in Germany, we found partial support for the notion that success is increased in entrepreneurs who engage in self‐regulated and informal deliberate practice. In addition, deliberate practice interacted with environmental dynamism, indicating that deliberate practice pays off particularly in dynamic environments and may be detrimental in stable environments. This research not only informs entrepreneurial research as it sheds light on how entrepreneurs learn and develop their capabilities outside systematic training. It may also have broader implications for work and organisational psychology as self‐regulated deliberate practice may be a useful informal learning activity for a wider range of occupations and across work tasks, particularly those with rapidly changing work requirements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)515–540
Number of pages26
JournalApplied Psychology
Volume65
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul-2016

Access to Document

  • Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success A Longitudinal StudyFinal publisher's version, 280 KBLicence: Taverne

Handle.net

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this

    • APA
    • Author
    • BIBTEX
    • Harvard
    • Standard
    • RIS
    • Vancouver

    Keith, N., Unger, J. M., Rauch, A., & Frese, M. (2016). Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners. Applied Psychology, 65(3), 515–540. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12054

    Keith, Nina ; Unger, Jens M. ; Rauch, Andreas et al. / Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success : A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners. In: Applied Psychology. 2016 ; Vol. 65, No. 3. pp. 515–540.

    @article{8a9cc323975348f586aca236085fbad4,

    title = "Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners",

    abstract = "Informal learning activities are increasingly acknowledged as significant for learning and development in modern workplaces. Yet, systematic research on effects of informal learning on work‐related outcomes remains scarce. The present research focuses on deliberate practice—a construct from cognitive‐psychological expertise research that describes effortful practice activities specifically designed to improve one's performance. We propose that deliberate practice can be applied informally at work and, in the context of entrepreneurship, may contribute to entrepreneurial success. In a longitudinal study with 132 small business owners in Germany, we found partial support for the notion that success is increased in entrepreneurs who engage in self‐regulated and informal deliberate practice. In addition, deliberate practice interacted with environmental dynamism, indicating that deliberate practice pays off particularly in dynamic environments and may be detrimental in stable environments. This research not only informs entrepreneurial research as it sheds light on how entrepreneurs learn and develop their capabilities outside systematic training. It may also have broader implications for work and organisational psychology as self‐regulated deliberate practice may be a useful informal learning activity for a wider range of occupations and across work tasks, particularly those with rapidly changing work requirements.",

    author = "Nina Keith and Unger, {Jens M.} and Andreas Rauch and Michael Frese",

    year = "2016",

    month = jul,

    doi = "10.1111/apps.12054",

    language = "English",

    volume = "65",

    pages = "515–540",

    journal = "Applied Psychology",

    issn = "1464-0597",

    publisher = "Wiley",

    number = "3",

    }

    Keith, N, Unger, JM, Rauch, A & Frese, M 2016, 'Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners', Applied Psychology, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 515–540. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12054

    Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners. / Keith, Nina; Unger, Jens M.; Rauch, Andreas et al.
    In: Applied Psychology, Vol. 65, No. 3, 07.2016, p. 515–540.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    TY - JOUR

    T1 - Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success

    T2 - A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners

    AU - Keith, Nina

    AU - Unger, Jens M.

    AU - Rauch, Andreas

    AU - Frese, Michael

    PY - 2016/7

    Y1 - 2016/7

    N2 - Informal learning activities are increasingly acknowledged as significant for learning and development in modern workplaces. Yet, systematic research on effects of informal learning on work‐related outcomes remains scarce. The present research focuses on deliberate practice—a construct from cognitive‐psychological expertise research that describes effortful practice activities specifically designed to improve one's performance. We propose that deliberate practice can be applied informally at work and, in the context of entrepreneurship, may contribute to entrepreneurial success. In a longitudinal study with 132 small business owners in Germany, we found partial support for the notion that success is increased in entrepreneurs who engage in self‐regulated and informal deliberate practice. In addition, deliberate practice interacted with environmental dynamism, indicating that deliberate practice pays off particularly in dynamic environments and may be detrimental in stable environments. This research not only informs entrepreneurial research as it sheds light on how entrepreneurs learn and develop their capabilities outside systematic training. It may also have broader implications for work and organisational psychology as self‐regulated deliberate practice may be a useful informal learning activity for a wider range of occupations and across work tasks, particularly those with rapidly changing work requirements.

    AB - Informal learning activities are increasingly acknowledged as significant for learning and development in modern workplaces. Yet, systematic research on effects of informal learning on work‐related outcomes remains scarce. The present research focuses on deliberate practice—a construct from cognitive‐psychological expertise research that describes effortful practice activities specifically designed to improve one's performance. We propose that deliberate practice can be applied informally at work and, in the context of entrepreneurship, may contribute to entrepreneurial success. In a longitudinal study with 132 small business owners in Germany, we found partial support for the notion that success is increased in entrepreneurs who engage in self‐regulated and informal deliberate practice. In addition, deliberate practice interacted with environmental dynamism, indicating that deliberate practice pays off particularly in dynamic environments and may be detrimental in stable environments. This research not only informs entrepreneurial research as it sheds light on how entrepreneurs learn and develop their capabilities outside systematic training. It may also have broader implications for work and organisational psychology as self‐regulated deliberate practice may be a useful informal learning activity for a wider range of occupations and across work tasks, particularly those with rapidly changing work requirements.

    U2 - 10.1111/apps.12054

    DO - 10.1111/apps.12054

    M3 - Article

    SN - 1464-0597

    VL - 65

    SP - 515

    EP - 540

    JO - Applied Psychology

    JF - Applied Psychology

    IS - 3

    ER -

    Keith N, Unger JM, Rauch A, Frese M. Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners. Applied Psychology. 2016 Jul;65(3):515–540. doi: 10.1111/apps.12054

    Informal Learning and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study of Deliberate Practice Among Small Business Owners (2025)

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Duncan Muller

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5368

    Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

    Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Duncan Muller

    Birthday: 1997-01-13

    Address: Apt. 505 914 Phillip Crossroad, O'Konborough, NV 62411

    Phone: +8555305800947

    Job: Construction Agent

    Hobby: Shopping, Table tennis, Snowboarding, Rafting, Motor sports, Homebrewing, Taxidermy

    Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.