A serial mediation model of the linkage between entrepreneurial education, self-efficacy, attitudes and intentions: does gender matter? A multi-group analysis

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to use the Social Cognitive Career Theory and a serial mediation model to explore how entrepreneurial self-confidence and attitudes mediate the connection between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, the study seeks to examine how gender impacts these relationships.Design/methodology/approachTo test the formulated hypothesis and the serial mediation effect, a sample of 1,266 master’s students from nine universities/institutions across three primary regions of Vietnam was used. The structural equation modeling technique, with Gaskin (2019)'s plugin and a 5,000-bootstrapping sample, was applied. Also, a multi-group analysis was used to illustrate the differences between male and female students in the relationships between variables.FindingsThe research reveals that entrepreneurial education plays a contributive role in increasing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial attitudes and startup intentions. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes also serve as serial mediators in the entrepreneurial education-intention relation. Moreover, this study demonstrates the significant moderation role of gender in these links.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of the current research hold significance for educators, policymakers and practitioners, as they can use these findings to encourage individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities and to improve the overall entrepreneurial ecosystems.Originality/valueThe current research sheds new light on the entrepreneurship and gender literature by using the Social Cognitive Career Theory to elucidate the serial mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes in the relation between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions.