The Anatomy of Entrepreneurial Failure: Antecedents of the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory and the Role of Social Support

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors! 

Thank you for your interesting research. In my opinion a few changes should be made.

Firstly, it would be preferable to show the motivation for the study, why the analysis of stress factors in entrepreneurs' failure is important, what is the pragmatic contribution of doing such an analysis?

Secondly, the theoretical contribution of the paper is not clearly shown. It is not clear what is the novelty and scientific importance of the work.  

Third, the paper should build the argumentation more clearly and systematically from the research question to the outcome and discussion. 

Minor comment, i did not find appendixes a and b mentioned in the text.

Author Response

Please see the attached file

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to review this paper. This an interesting paper to explore the role of stress factors in entrepreneurs' failure. In the introduction, the purpose of this study could be written more clearly. You can also develop a stronger case for this study by highlighting the number of failures of SMEs which is very high.

Certainly, you have made significant discussion about the impact and made a significant contribution to relevant academic and practitioner literature.  However, I think your introduction section should be more focused by adding the key research question and the way you have organised the rest of the sections.

In the literature review, you have tarted with the theoretical background, but I cannot see a good summary at the of this section. Please change the last paragraph to highlight the theory to applied in this study directly or partly.

Methodology section is good, however, the arguments on data analysis techniques are not adequate. Please elaborate on this.

Conclusions section is good, and you have added some good recommendations.  

Author Response

Please see the attached 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf