Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Extending the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention: a moderated mediation model

  • Published:
International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study extended the research on the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention by developing a moderated mediation model. This model posits that the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention is mediated by attitudes toward entrepreneurship and planned entrepreneurial control, and that these mediation processes are further moderated by subjective norms. Based on a sample of 308 valid responses, regression analysis yielded two noteworthy results. First, entrepreneurial self-efficacy positively affects intention through attitudes toward entrepreneurship and planned entrepreneurial control. Second, the direct effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on intention decreases as subjective norms increase. By contrast, the indirect intention effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy through attitudes toward entrepreneurship and planned entrepreneurial control increase as subjective norms increase. In addition, the results indicated that subjective norms positively affect entrepreneurial intention. These findings indicated that the model advances the use of the theory of planned behavior and can be used to define a person as an entrepreneur.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. In Bandura (1977) study, jobs or tasks are related to conventional activities, such as entrepreneurship. Self-efficacy related to conventional pursuits is associated with a positive response toward the conventional pursuits. However, individuals may develop self-efficacy in relation to nonconventional pursuits (e.g., crime). Under the cases of nonconventional pursuits, the self-efficacy—attitude relationship may not be the same as that discussed in relation to entrepreneurship.

References

  • Abebe, M. A. (2012). Social and institutional predictors of entrepreneurial career intention: evidence from Hispanic adults in the US. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 20(1), 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M., Hill, K. G., Hennessey, B. A., & Tighe, E. M. (1994). The work preference inventory: assessing intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66(5), 950–967.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modeling in practice: a review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius, P., & Minniti, M. (2005). Perceptual variables and nascent entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 233–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi, R. P., & Yi, Y. (1988). On the evaluation of structural equation models. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 16(1), 74–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi, R. P., Yi, Y., & Phillips, L. W. (1991). Assessing construct validity in organizational research. Administrative Science Quarterly, 36(3), 421–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., Adams, N. E., Hardy, A. B., & Howells, G. N. (1980). Tests of the generality of self-efficacy theory. Cognitive Theory and Research, 4(1), 39–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173–1182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. A., Markman, G. D., et al. (1999). Cognitive mechanisms: Potential differences between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. In P. D. Reynolds & W. D. Bygrave (Eds.), Frontiers of entrepreneurship research. Wellesley: Babson College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum, J. R., Locke, E. A., & Smith, K. (2001). A multidimensional model of venture growth. Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 292–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borchers, A., & Park, S. A. (2010). Understanding entrepreneurial mindset: a set of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, locus of control, and intent to start a business. Journal of Engineering Entrepreneurship, 1(1), 51–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, N. G., & Vozikis, G. S. (1994). The Influence of self-efficacy on the development of entrepreneurial intentions and actions. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 18(4), 63–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byabashaija, W., & Katono, I. (2011). The impact of college entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial attitudes and intention to start a business in Uganda. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 16(1), 127–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. C., Greene, P. G., & Crick, A. (1998). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy distinguish entrepreneurs from managers? Journal of Business Venturing, 13(4), 295–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dabic, M., Daim, T., Bayraktaroglu, E., Novak, I., & Basic, M. (2012). Exploring gender differences in attitudes of university students towards entrepreneurship. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 4(3), 316–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Noble, A. F., Jung, D., & Ehrlich, S. B. (1999). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: The development of a measure and its relation to entrepreneurial action. In P. D. Reynolds et al. (Eds.), Frontiers of entrepreneurship research (pp. 73–87). Wellesley: Babson College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivations. Psychological Bulletin, 125(6), 627–668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz-Casero, J. C., Ferreira, J. J. M., Mogollón, R. H., & Raposo, M. L. B. (2012). Influence of institutional environment on entrepreneurial intention: a comparative study of two countries university students. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8(1), 55–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz-García, M. C., & Jiménez-Moreno, J. (2010). Entrepreneurial intention: the role of gender. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(3), 261–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drnovšek, M., Wincent, J., & Cardon, S. C. (2010). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and business start-up: developing a multi-dimensional definition. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 16(4), 329–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engle, R. L., Dimitriadi, N., Gavidia, J. V., Schlaegel, C., Delanoe, S., Alvarado, I., He, X., Buame, S., & Wolff, B. (2010). Entrepreneurial intent: a twelve-country evaluation of Ajzen’d model. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 16(1), 35–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fayolle, A., Gailly, B., & Lassas-Clerc, N. (2006). Assessing the impact of entrepreneurship education programmes: a new methodology. Journal of European Industrial Training, 30(9), 701–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández, J., Liñán, F., & Santos, F. J. (2009). Cognitive aspects of potential entrepreneurs in Southern and Northern Europe: an analysis using GEM-data. Revista De Economia Mundial, 23, 151–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Serrano, J., & Romero, I. (2014). About the interactive influence of culture and regulatory barriers on entrepreneurial activity. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. doi:10.1007/s11365-014-0296-5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich, R. J. (1982). In defense of multiplicative terms in multiple regression equations. American Journal of Political Science, 26(4), 797–833.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, F. Q., Richards, K. A., Hughes, D. E., & Jones, E. (2010). Motivatin salespeople to sell new products: the relative influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy. Journal of Marketing, 74(6), 61–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Rodrigues, F. J., Gil-Soto, E., Ruiz-Rosa, I., & Sene, P. M. (2013). Entrepreneurial intentions in diverse development contexts: a cross-cultural comparison between Senegal and Spain. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. doi:10.1007/s11365-013-0291-2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greve, A., & Salaff, J. W. (2003). Social networks and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 27(1), 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis: A global perspective. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haus, I., Steinmetz, H., Isidor, R., & Kabst, R. (2013). Gender effects and entrepreneurial intention: a meta-analytical structural equation model. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 5(2), 130–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulland, J. (1999). Use of partial least squares (PLS) in strategic management research: a review of four recent studies. Strategic Management Journal, 20(2), 195–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jung, D. I., Ehrlich, S. B., De Noble, A. F., & Baik, K. (2001). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and its relationship to entrepreneurial action: a comparative study between the US and Korea. Management International, 6(1), 41–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kickul, J., Wilson, F., Marlino, D., & Barbosa, S. D. (2008). Are misalignments of perceptions and self-efficacy causing gender gaps in entrepreneurial intentions among our nations’ teens? Journal of Small Business in Enterprise Development, 15(2), 321–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolvereid, L., & Isaksen, E. (2006). New business start-up and subsequent entry into selfemployment. Journal of Business Venturing, 21(6), 866–885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger, N. F., Jr., Reilly, M. D., & Carsrud, A. L. (2000). Competing models of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5/6), 411–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larimer, M. E., Turner, A. P., Matlett, K. A., & Gcisner, I. M. (2004). Predicting drinking bebaviour and alcohol related problems among fraternity and sorority members: examining the role and injunctive norms on college student gambling. Psychology of Addictive Behaviours, 17(5), 235–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, X. (2013). Determinants of entrepreneurial intentions: applying western model to the Sri Lanka context. Journal of Entreprising Culture, 21(2), 153–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F. (2004). Intention-based models of entrepreneurship education. Piccola Impresa/Small Business, 2004(3), 11–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F. (2008). Skill and value perceptions: how do they affect entrepreneurial intention. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 4(3), 257–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F., & Santos, F. J. (2007). Does social capital affect entrepreneurial intentions? International Advances in Economic Research, 13(4), 443–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F., Rodríguez-Cohard, J. C., & Rueda-Cantuche, J. M. (2011a). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intention levels: a role for education. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 7(2), 195–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F., Santos, F. J., & Fernández, J. (2011b). The influence of perceptions on potential entrepreneurs. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 7(3), 373–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liñán, F., Urbano, D., & Guerrero, M. (2011c). Regional variations in entrepreneurial cognitions: start-up intentions of university students in Spain. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 23(3/4), 187–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo, C.-M., & Wang, J.-R. (2007). The entrepreneurial intention under environmental uncertainty. Journal of Accounting, Finance & Management Strategy, 3(1), 21–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manning, M. (2009). The effects of subjective norms on behaviour in the theory of planned behaviour: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Social Psychology, 48(4), 649–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manstead, A., & Van Eekelen, S. (1998). Distinguishing between perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy in the domain of academic achievement intentions and behaviors. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(15), 1375–1392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markman, G. D., Balkin, D. B., & Baron, R. A. (2002). Inventors and new venture formation: the effects of general self-efficacy and regretful thinking. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 27(2), 149–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGee, J. E., Peterson, M., Mueller, S. L., & Sequeira, J. M. (2009). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: refining the measure. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 33(4), 965–988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minniti, M., & Nardone, C. (2007). Being in someone else’s shoes: gender and nascent entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics Journal, 28(2–3), 223–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, S. (2011). Increasing entrepreneurial intention: effective entrepreneurship course characteristics. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 13(1), 55–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller, D., Judd, C., & Yzerbyt, V. (2005). When moderation is mediated and mediation is moderated. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 89(6), 852–863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naktiyok, A., Karabey, C. N., & Gulluce, A. C. (2010). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention: the Turkish case. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 419–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Numazaki, I. (1997). The laoban-led development of business enterprises in Taiwan: an analysis of the Chinese entrepreneurship. The Developing Economies, 35(4), 440–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwankwo, B. E., Kanu, G. C., Marire, M. I., Balogun, S. K., & Uhiara, A. C. (2012). Geneder-role orientation and self-efficacy as correlates of entrepreneurial intention. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 1(7), 9–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ping, R. A. (1996). A parsimonious estimating technique for interaction and quadratic latent variables. Journal of Marketing Research, 32(4), 336–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, P. D., Bygrave, W. D., Autio, E., Cox, L. W., & Hay, M. (2002a). Global entrepreneurship monitor: 2002 Executive report. Babson College/Ewin Marion Kauffman Foundation, London Business School.

  • Rhodes, R. E., & Courneya, K. S. (2003). Investigating multiple components of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived control: an examination of the theory of planned behaviour in the exercise domain. British Journal of Social Psychology, 42, 129–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roper, S., & Scott, J. M. (2009). Perceived financial barriers and the start-up decision: an econometric analysis of gender differences using GEM data. International Small Business Journal, 27(2), 149–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlaegel, C., & Koenig, M. (2014). Determinants of entrepreneurial intent: a meta-analytic test and integration of competing models. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 38(1), 291–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, G., Borgia, D., & Schoenfeld, J. (2005). The motivation to become an entrepreneur. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 11(1), 42–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiri, N., Mohammadi, D., & Hosseini, S. M. (2012). Entrepreneurial intention of agricultural students: effects of role model, social support, social norms, and perceived desirability. Archives of Applied Science Research, 4(2), 892–897.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solesvik, M. Z. (2013). Entrepreneurial motivations and intentions: investigating the role of education major. Education + Training, 55(3), 253–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparks, P., Guthrie, C. A., & Shepherd, R. (1997). The dimensional structure of the perceived behavioral control construct. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 27(4), 418–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tavousi, M., Hidarnia, A. R., Montazeri, A., Hajizadeh, E., Taremian, F., & Ghofranipour, F. (2009). Are perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy distinct constructs? European Journal of Scientific Research, 30(1), 146–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gelderen, M., Brand, M., Van Praag, M., Bodewes, W., Poutsma, E., & Van Gils, A. (2008). Explaining entrepreneurial intentions by means of the theory of planned behavior. Career Development International, 13(6), 538–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y., Duysters, G., & Cloodt, M. (2014). The role of entrepreneurship education as a predictor of university students’ entrepreneurial intention. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 10(3), 623–641.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Lynch, J. G., Jr., & Chen, Q. (2010). Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: myths and truths about mediation analysis. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(2), 197–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, National Taipei University, 151 University Rd., San Shia, Taipei 237, Taiwan

    Kuen-Hung Tsai, Hui-Chen Chang & Chen-Yi Peng

Authors
  1. Kuen-Hung Tsai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hui-Chen Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chen-Yi Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kuen-Hung Tsai.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 4 The Scale Items
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tsai, KH., Chang, HC. & Peng, CY. Extending the link between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention: a moderated mediation model. Int Entrep Manag J 12, 445–463 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-014-0351-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-014-0351-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation