Enhancing entrepreneurial learning through mentoring : a situational and generic mentor role taxonomy

Purpose: The experiences materialising as learning tasks in the entrepreneurial context do not automatically transform into effective learning for a novice entrepreneur. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive and situational role taxonomy for entrepreneurial mentoring meant to address this challenge. Design/methodology/approach: Entrepreneurial mentoring builds on the assumption that it can facilitate the transformation of experience and consequently enhance the learning outcomes for a novice entrepreneur. By integrating and extending the extant research on entrepreneurial learning and mentoring, we argue for a dynamic and situational approach, scrutinising the fit between discrete entrepreneurial learning modes and the mentoring functions targeting them. Findings: We complete our theorising by developing four propositions and a taxonomy of mentor roles. The role taxonomy comprises a repertoire of four different roles that target the learning modes through learning-enabling mechanisms drawn from the learning literature. Originality/value: The role taxonomy poses important implications for future entrepreneurship research. The role taxonomy can be directly employed in more targeted, formal training programmes for both mentees and mentors.