Positive Psychological Attributes and Entrepreneurial Intention and Action: The Moderating Role of Perceived Family...

Area of Science:

• Entrepreneurship Research
• Behavioral Economics
• Psychology

Background:

• Significant gaps exist between entrepreneurial intentions and actual behavior.
• Current interventions focus on intentions, potentially overlooking crucial behavioral mechanisms.
• Implementation intentions are theorized to bridge the intention-action gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if implementation intentions mediate the link between entrepreneurial intention and action.
• To examine if perceived family support moderates the transition from implementation intention to entrepreneurial action.
• To explore the role of proactive personality and psychological capital in entrepreneurial actions.

Main Methods:

• A two-wave survey was administered to students at an African university.
• Psychological attributes (proactive personality, psychological capital) were measured pre-course.
• Entrepreneurial intentions, implementation intentions, actions, and perceived family support were measured post-course.

Main Results:

• A moderated double mediation model was supported.
• Proactive personality and psychological capital influenced entrepreneurial actions via entrepreneurial and implementation intentions.
• Higher perceived family support strengthened the positive effect of implementation intentions on entrepreneurial actions.

Conclusions:

• Implementation intentions are crucial mediators in translating entrepreneurial intentions into actions.
• Perceived family support acts as a significant moderator, enhancing the effectiveness of implementation intentions.
• Interventions should incorporate strategies to foster both implementation intentions and family support for aspiring entrepreneurs.