Aiming for legitimacy but perpetuating clichés – Social evaluations of the entrepreneurial identity

The positive evaluation by society of entrepreneurs as a social group is hugely important because it determines that group’s legitimacy. However, researchers have tended to neglect the role in evaluations and also constructing them multilevel process. This knowledge gap has prompted us investigate how are perceived evaluated (1) from societal perspective, (2) entrepreneurs’ own perspective on entrepreneurial identity, (3) society’s views them. We contribute literature proposing model connects entrepreneur identities entrepreneurs. cross-level analysis linked individual reveal inconsistencies potential trade-offs. base this primarily sorting study visual representations published media. Although perceive identity more positively seriously than general, they do not construct convey public. Finally, results underscore usefulness analyses revealing stereotypes.