The kids are all right: Adolescent deviance, innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking

Abstract

Entrepreneurial behaviour involves challenging the status quo. Similarly, adolescent deviants break rules and act against established norms. While adolescent deviance is seen as a strain on society, it can also be related to characteristics of entrepreneurial intentions. We draw upon prior literature to demonstrate that deviance during adolescence can promote the development of and reliance upon relational capital, and that these characteristics are associated with innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking as adults. We test hypotheses using a sample of 375 participants and highlight the role of relational capital in the lives of adolescent deviants and how it contributes to entrepreneurial behaviour.