  The literature on effectual theory offers validated scales to measure
effectual or causal logic in entrepreneurs' decision-making. However, there are
no adequate scales to assess in advance the effectual or causal propensity of
people with an entrepreneurial intention before the creation of their
companies. We aim to determine the validity and reliability of an instrument to
measure that propensity by first analysing those works that provide recognised
validated scales with which to measure the effectual or causal logic in people
who have already started up companies. Then, considering these scales, we
designed a scale to evaluate the effectual or causal propensity in people who
had not yet started up companies using a sample of 230 final-year business
administration students to verify its reliability and validity. The validated
scale has theoretical implications for the literature on potential
entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention and practical implications for
promoters of entrepreneurship who need to orient the behaviour of
entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of established businesses who want to implement a
specific strategic orientation, entrepreneurs who want to evaluate the
effectual propensity of their potential partners and workers, and academic
institutions interested in orienting the entrepreneurial potential of their
students.
