Prof. Dr. Michael Gielnik
Vita
Prof. Dr. Michael M. Gielnik is Professor of Psychology, in particular Entrepreneurship, at the Institute of Management and Organization (since 2014). He studied psychology at Justus Liebig University Giessen and received his doctorate from Leuphana University Lüneburg. During his academic career, he completed research stays at the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa) and the University of Sydney (Australia) and he was a Visiting Senior Fellow at the National University of Singapore Business School (Singapore).
Michael Gielnik's research interests are entrepreneurship, in particular action-oriented entrepreneurship training, the entrepreneurial process, and sustainable entrepreneurial behavior. A special interest is entrepreneurship in developing countries. He has supervised and implemented a variety of research and practice projects in different countries in Africa and Asia, including "STEP - Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion". His research has been published in scholarly journals such as Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Journal, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Journal of Business Venturing, and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice.
Professional and Academic Experience
- since 02/2022: Professor (W3) of Psychology, in particular Entrepreneurship, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Germany
- 10/2020-02/2021: Parental leave
- 01/2020-12/2022: Associate Editor Journal of Business Venturing (Field Editor Psychology and Entrepreneurship)
- 03/2015-01/2022: Professor (W2) of HR development, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Germany
- 02/2014-02/2015: Junior professor (W1) of HR development, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Germany
- 10/2010-12/2013: Visiting Research Fellow, promoted to Visiting Senior Fellow, NUS Business School, Singapore, Department of Management and Organization
- 05/2010-09/2010 Research Associate, Leuphana, Institute for Enterprise Development
- 10/2006-04/2010: Research Associate, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany, Department of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- 11/2005-09/2006: Marketing Research Executive, Research International GmbH & Co.KG, Germany
Education
- 09/2010 Doctor of Philosophy (summa cum laude), Leuphana: "Opportunity Identification and Exploitation: Psychological Factors for Start-up and Success in Entrepreneurship" (Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Frese), Finalist of the 2011 Academy of Management NFIB Dissertation Award of the Entrepreneurship Department
- 10/2005 Diploma in Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Diploma Thesis: "The Relationship of Learning Opportunities and Subsequent Learning Behavior to Learning Outcomes and Success: A Study among South African Entrepreneurs" (Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Frese)
Review Boards
- Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice
Teaching
Work and Organizational Psychology
Entrepreneurship
Research Interests
His research interests are entrepreneurship, in particular action-based entrepreneurship trainings, the entrepreneurial process, and sustainable entrepreneurial behavior. He has taken a special interest in entrepreneurship in developing countries. He has conducted several research and practice projects in different countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. He has published his research in scientific journals, such as Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Journal, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Journal of Business Venturing, and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice.
Projects
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Sustainable Entrepreneurship Courses for Under- and Postgraduate Students
Michael Gielnik (Project manager, academic) , Paul Jasper Herrmann (Project staff) , Janina Peschmann (Project staff)
→Project: Practical Project
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DAAD SDG-Partnerschaften 2024-2027
Michael Gielnik (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Practical Project
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International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology (2023-2027)
Michael Gielnik (Project manager, academic) , Janina Peschmann (Project staff)
→Project: Teaching
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Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion (STEP) V Südafrika 2022-24
Michael Gielnik (Project manager, academic) , Carina Bohlayer (Project staff)
→Project: Practical Project
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STEP Burkina Faso 2021-2022
Michael Gielnik (Project manager, academic)
→Project: Transfer (professional training)
Publications
Books and anthologies
- The Psychology of Entrepreneurship: New Perspectives
Michael Gielnik (Editor) , Melissa S. Cardon (Editor) , Michael Frese (Editor) , 2021 1 ed. New York , 424 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book › Research
Journal contributions
- Stability matters: A dynamic process view on self-efficacy in training transfer.
Jakob Weers (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , 01.04.2026 , in: Journal of Applied Psychology, 111, 4 , p. 534-548 , 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- A path-centric account of action-oriented entrepreneurship training
Michael Gielnik (Author) , Blagoy Blagoev (Author) , Lemayon Lemilia Melyoki (Author) , 01.08.2025 , in: Small Business Economics, 65, 2 , p. 1241-1282 , 42 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- An extended active learning framework of entrepreneurship education and training
Michael Gielnik (Author) , Alex Glosenberg (Author) , 10.06.2025 , in: Foundations and Trends in Entrepreneurship, 21, 8 , p. 828-918 , 91 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- An entrepreneurial roadmap for the future of workplace learning
Alex Glosenberg (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , Paul Steffens (Author) , 07.03.2025 , in: Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, 18, 1 , p. 162-166 , 5 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Unpacking the nonlinear effect of self-efficacy in entrepreneurship: Why and under which condition more is not better
Marilyn A. Uy (Author) , Shuhua Sun (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , Gabriel Henry Jacob (Author) , John Luis D. Lagdameo (Author) , Armando G. Miclat (Author) , Enrico C. Osi (Author) , 01.03.2024 , in: Personnel Psychology, 77, 1 , p. 81-108 , 28 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Contributions to collected editions/anthologies
- Principles of Action in Entrepreneurship Education and Training for Marginalized Entrepreneurs: Inductive Propositions from Personal Initiative Training
Alex Glosenberg (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , Lemayon Lemilia Melyoki (Author) , Amanobea Boateng (Author) , 02.05.2025 , p. 189-205 , 17 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
- Entrepreneurship
Michael Gielnik (Author) , Hannes Zacher (Author) , 01.01.2023 Stuttgart , p. 360-376 , 16 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
- Entrepreneurship as a Tool to Tackle Graduate Youth Unemployment in Developing Economies: The Role of Action-Oriented Entrepreneurship Training
Arobindu Dash (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , 01.04.2022 , p. 1-24 , 24 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
- Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship: An Extended Approach
Andreas Jörg Rauch (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , 01.01.2021 London , p. 323-339 , 17 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research
- Entrepreneurship Training and Transfer
Jakob Weers (Author) , Michael Gielnik (Author) , 01.01.2021 London , p. 282-304 , 23 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Chapter › Research › peer-review
Impact
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STEP – Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion has a wide-ranging impact
Michael Frese , Michael Gielnik , Janina Peschmann , Paul Jasper Herrmann
Impact: Academic Impact, Economic Impact, Educational Impact, Environmental Impact, Health and Quality of Life Impact
Activities
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Exploring the use of podcasts as entrepreneurship training intervention
Janina Peschmann (Speaker) , Michael Gielnik (Coauthor)
Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
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New developments in personal initiative (PI) training for entrepreneurs inside and outside of the African continent (PDW)
Artemisia Bogdou (Speaker) , Tabea Brüning (Speaker) , Elisabeth Erning (Speaker) , Michael Frese (Speaker) , Michael Gielnik (Coauthor) , Alexander Glossenberg (Speaker) , Mona Hafner (Speaker) , Ines Meyer (Speaker) , Benjamin Schwarweit (Speaker)
→Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
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The impact of action-oriented entrepreneurship training on employment, income, and business performance among young adults
Janina Peschmann (Speaker) , Michael Gielnik (Coauthor) , Michael Frese (Coauthor) , Kim Marie Bischoff (Coauthor)
Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
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How harmonious and obsessive passion lead to entrepreneurial success: Unfolding the underlying process on a state level.
Mirjam Streeb (Speaker) , Sonja Franzke (Speaker) , Matthias Baum (Speaker) , Michael Gielnik (Speaker)
→Activity: Conference Presentations › Research
Prizes
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Impact Award 2024
Paul Jasper Herrmann (Recipient) Michael Gielnik (Recipient) Janina Peschmann (Recipient) ,Prize: Leuphana internal Prize, Scholaships, distinctions, appointments › Transfer
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FGF Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research Award 2014
Michael Gielnik (Recipient) ,Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
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Nominated for the Best Paper Award of the EAWOP Congress 2013
Michael Gielnik (Recipient) ,Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
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Transfer Award der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Michael Gielnik (Recipient) ,Prize: Leuphana internal Prize, Scholaships, distinctions, appointments › Transfer
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Finalist of the 2011 Academy of Management NFIB Dissertation Award of the Entrepreneurship Division
Michael Gielnik (Recipient) ,Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
Courses
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The psychology of entrepreneurship, in particular entrepreneurship training
dynamic perspective: how cognition, motivation, emotions drives entrepreneurial performance, but also the other way around
why and for whom entrepreneurship training has positive short- and long-term effects on entrepreneurial behavior and well-being
theoretical foundation: self- and action regulation theory
Literature
Frese, M. & Gielnik, M. M. (2023). The psychology of entrepreneurship: Action and process. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10, 137-164.
Frese, M., Gielnik, M. M., & Mensmann, M. (2016). Psychological training for entrepreneurs to take action: Contributing to poverty reduction in developing countries. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 25(3), 196-202.
The nature and dynamics of self-efficacy
self-efficacy is an important driver of performance, but it might also negatively relate to performance
self-efficacy is fairly stable, but how do within-person variations in self-efficacy add to our understanding of the construct of self-efficacy and its motivational function
theoretical foundation: self- and action regulation theory and process perspective
Literature
Gielnik, M. M., Bledow, R., & Stark, M. S. (2020). A dynamic account of self-efficacy in entrepreneurship. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(5), 487-505.
Bledow, R., Gielnik, M.M., et al. (under review). Integrating Within- and Between-Person Variability: A Process View on Self-Efficacy. Journal of Applied Psychology.
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The organizational perspective introduces organizational contexts relevant for entrepreneurship such as entrepreneurial ecosystems and networks, as well as various organized spaces and events that foster entrepreneurial activities. An organizational perspective allows discussing the social structures and practices that shape entrepreneurial activities. In addition, it elaborates on the role of intrapreneurship as a driver of change in established organizational settings.
The societal perspective introduces different forms of entrepreneurship such as social, institutional or cultural entrepreneurship to shed light on how societal norms and values shape entrepreneurial activities, and how entrepreneurship in turn can address various social challenges. It hereby also sheds light on the political economy and geography of entrepreneurship, which varies across countries and regions.