Interrelationship Between Entrepreneurial Alertness and Intention Among University Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Purpose Based on the theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory, this study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial alertness (EA) and entrepreneurial intention (EI) through the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and the moderating role of entrepreneurial climate (EC) in the “triple disruptions” of pandemic, Industry 4.0, and innovative technology. Design/Approach/Methods This study collected data from 717 Chinese university students and adopted a moderated mediation model to verify the proposed construct. All data were acquired online via Wenjuanxing software and analyzed with SPSS and SmartPLS. Findings Results show that (1) EA, ESE, and EC are significant predictors of EI; (2) ESE partially mediates the relationship between EA and EI; and (3) EC moderates the relationship between ESE and EI. Originality/Value The originality of this study lies in its use of an inner- and outer-moderator framework to examine student entrepreneurial intentions. The results of this study demonstrate that EA, ESE, and EC are crucial determinants of EI among Chinese university students. These findings of this study have empirical implications for governments, universities, and individuals insofar as they can be used to enhance students’ ability to recognize entrepreneurial opportunities, foster ESE, create ECs, and facilitate EI by offering multiple entrepreneurship-related resources.