The impact of entrepreneurial learning on entrepreneurial intention:  The mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Zhao Xia; Siridech Kumsuprom

Authors

Zhao Xia International College, Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand
Siridech Kumsuprom International College, Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand

Keywords:

Social Cognitive Theory, Entrepreneurial Learning, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Entrepreneurial Intention

Abstract

Grounded within the framework of Social Cognitive Theory, this paper endeavors to investigate the potential impact of entrepreneurial learning on entrepreneurial intention and what may be the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. This study collected preliminary data through a questionnaire survey of university students at nine private universities in Yunnan, China, and employed Common Method Variance (CMV) analysis, correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships and analyze the mediating effects. The key findings from the data analysis can be summarized as follows: 1. Entrepreneurial learning appears to significantly enhance students' entrepreneurial intention; 2. The analysis indicates that entrepreneurial self-efficacy seems to fully mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial intention. This study highlights that enhancing students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy promotes entrepreneurial intention. School-based and social entrepreneurial learning have a greater impact than family-based learning, emphasizing the role of school and social environments. Policymakers and educators should create more entrepreneurial learning opportunities to boost students' self-efficacy and foster entrepreneurial intentions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ajzen, I. (2011). The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections. Psychology & Health, 26(9), 1113-1127. http://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2011.613995

Carmines, E. G., & McIver, J. P. (1981). Analyzing models with unobserved variables: Analysis of covariance structures. In G. W. Bohrnstedt, & E. F. Borgatta (Eds.), Social measurement: Current issues (pp. 65-115). Sage.

Chen, P. Q. (2024). Entrepreneurship education and college students' entrepreneurial intention: Mediating role of creativity. Social Behavior and Personality, 52(10), 1-8. http://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.13702

Dormann, C. F., Elith, J., Bacher, S., Buchmann, C., Carl, G., Carré, G., Marquéz, J. R. G., Gruber, B., Lafourcade, B., & Leitão, P. J. (2013). Collinearity: A review of methods to deal with it and a simulation study evaluating their performance. Ecography, 36(1), 27-46. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2012.07348.x

Duong, C. D., & Vu, N. X. (2024). Entrepreneurial education and intention: Fear of failure, self-efficacy and gender. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 31(4), 629-654. http://doi. org/10.1108/JSBED-02-2023-0057

Fayolle, A. (2013). Personal views on the future of entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 25(7-8), 692-701. http://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2013.821318

Guadagnoli, E., & Velicer, W. F. (1988). Relation of sample-size to the stability of component patterns. Psychological Bulletin, 103(2), 265-275. http://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.2.265

Huang, L., Bai, X. C., Huang, L. L., Huang, Y. J., & Han, G. S. (2023). How Does college students' entrepreneurial learning influence entrepreneurial intention: Evidence from China. Sustainability, 15(12), Article 9301. http://doi.org/10.3390/su15129301

Li, H. , Li, H., & Xiang, H. (2025). Returning home: Entrepreneurial intention among rural college students. Management Decision, 63(7), 2087-2104. http://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2023-1862

Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. W. (2009). Development and cross-cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593-617. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00318.x

Liñán, F., & Fayolle, A. (2015). A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions: Citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11(4), 907-933. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0356-5

Lux, A. A., Macau, F. R., & Brown, K. A. (2020). Putting the entrepreneur back into entrepreneurial ecosystems. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(5), 1011-1041. http://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-01-2020-0031

Lyu, X. Y., Al Mamun, A., Yang, Q., & Abd Aziz, N. (2024). Social entrepreneurial intention among university students in China. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 7362. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58060-4

Ngah, R., & Osman, C. A. (2017). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial learning on students' entrepreneurial intention in Malaysia: Investigating the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Advanced Science Letters, 23(8), 7529-7533. https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2017.9515

Nwosu, H. E., Obidike, P. C., Ugwu, J. N., Udeze, C. C., & Okolie, U. C. (2022). Applying social cognitive theory to placement learning in business firms and students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(1), Article 100602. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100602

Palma-Ruiz, M., Serrano-Bedia, A. M., & Lopez-Fernandez, M. C. (2013). The effects of university's social capital on students' entrepreneurial intentions. In L. G. Chova, A. L. Martinez, & I. C. Torres (Eds.), 6th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI 2013) (pp. 4841-4850).

Pihie, Z., & Bagheri, A. (2013). Self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention: The mediation effect of self-regulation. Vocations and Learning, 6(3), 385-401. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-013-9101-9

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879-903. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2003-08045-010

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40(3), 879-891. https://doi.org/10.3758/brm.40.3.879

Sharma, L., Bulsara, H. P., Trivedi, M., & Bagdi, H. (2024). An analysis of sustainability-driven entrepreneurial intentions among university students: The role of university support and SDG knowledge. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 16(2), 281-301. http://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-11-2022-0359

Watkins, M. W. (2018). Exploratory factor analysis: A guide to best practice. Journal of Black Psychology, 44(3), 219-246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798418771807

Wilson, F., Kickul, J., & Marlino, D. (2007). Gender, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial career intentions: Implications for entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(3), 387-406. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2007.00179.x

Wu, M. L. (2003). Corrected item-total correlation: SPSS statistical application practice: Questionnaire analysis and applied statistics. Science Press.

Xanthopoulou, P., & Sahinidis, A. (2024). Students’ entrepreneurial intention and its influencing factors: A systematic literature review. Administrative Sciences, 14(5), Article 98. http://doi.org/10. 3390/admsci14050098

Zhao, H., Seibert, S. E., & Hills, G. E. (2005). The mediating role of self-efficacy in the development of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1265-1272. http://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.6.1265