Grit at the firm level: Defining, measuring, and understanding its impact on new venture performance

This thesis investigates the grit at the firm level within the context of entrepreneurship. Currently, there is no valid definition, measurement scale, or empirical evidence for firm-level grit. This study addresses this gap by developing a new grit scale and exploring its relationships with various antecedents and outcomes. An 11-item grit scale was developed, and its mediating role was empirically tested across three studies. The results indicate that strategic orientation positively impacts grit, which in turn leads to improved innovation and financial performance, though it does not significantly influence non-financial performance. These findings are beneficial for both entrepreneurs and educators.