Abstract:

Based on the theory of action regulation, the paper explores the mechanism and model of how entrepreneurs learn form the actions. Action errors are primary learning sources; and they are different from failures, key events and performance mistakes. Error detection and self-regulation behaviors provide new cognitive feedback to entrepreneurs, while deliberate practice links the new lessons to behaviors. According to social cognitive theory, the paper proposes that factors including environmental dynamism, entrepreneurial experience and cognitive ability can influence the learning process. Entrepreneurial experience will help entrepreneurs make less errors in stable environments, but help them detect more action errors in a dynamic environment. Entrepreneurs’ deliberate practice won’t benefit the ventures as these behaviors are not necessary, but waste energy and resources in a stable environment. However, entrepreneurs’ deliberate practices contribute to the development of the ventures in a dynamic environment.

Key words: entrepreneurial learning, action theory, action errors