Psychological Capital, Entrepreneurial Efficacy, Alertness and Agency Among Refugees in Uganda: Perceived Behavioural Control as a Moderator

Abstract

Integrating refugees into the economic set-up is a daunting task for host countries. The dilemma is even bigger in low-income countries with many economic challenges; hence, refugees need help to obtain meaningful paid employment. However, entrepreneurship is emerging as an avenue for refugees to flourish in the economic space. Extant research suggests that personal agency is essential for utilising such opportunities. The current study examines the interactive effects of psychological capital and perceived behavioural control on refugees’ entrepreneurial agency (entrepreneurial intentions) of refugees in low-income settings and the underlying mediating effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and alertness. Using data collected from a sample of 212 refugees in Uganda, our findings supported the moderated mediation model, involving a double mediation through entrepreneurial self-efficacy and alertness. We also found moderation effects of perceived behavioural control, suggesting that psychological capital is more likely to boost personal entrepreneurial agency when a refugee has a strong perceived behavioural control.