| dc.description.abstract |
This study investigates the role of mentoring in the business model development of early-
stage start-ups in Albania. While the literature highlights the critical importance of
mentoring in entrepreneurial ecosystems (St-Jean & Audet, 2012; Hudson, 2013; Crisp &
Cruz, 2009), its influence within emerging markets like Albania—characterized by limited
institutional support, access to capital, and entrepreneurial experience—remains
underexplored (Dana et al., 2021; Morrison, 2019). Employing an exploratory qualitative
research design, this study draws on semi-structured interviews with 8 participants,
including both mentors and mentees from Albanian acceleration programs. Thematic
analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) identified key patterns in mentoring dynamics, including
the dual function of mentorship as both technical guidance (e.g., business model validation,
customer segmentation) and psychosocial support (e.g., motivation, confidence-building).
Findings reveal that effective mentoring relationships are marked by trust, compatibility,
and iterative learning, while challenges include mismatched expectations, limited sectoral
expertise, and time constraints. The study extends existing theories, such as Social Learning
Theory (Bandura, 1977) and Human Capital Theory (Becker, 1993), by contextualizing
them within an emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem where mentorship often compensates
for structural gaps in knowledge transfer, strategic thinking, and network access. The
research contributes to the growing discourse on entrepreneurship in transitional
economies, offering practical recommendations for improving mentor selection, providing
mentor training, and integrating long-term mentorship structures within acceleration
programs.
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The study concludes that mentorship, when effectively designed and delivered, plays a
vital role in fostering business model innovation, strategic adaptability, and entrepreneurial
resilience in early-stage ventures in Albania. |
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