Proactive personality and entrepreneurial intent : Is entrepreneurial self‐efficacy a mediator or moderator?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study, which is part of a larger cross‐cultural study, is to examine two potential antecedents of entrepreneurial intent (EI): proactive personality (PP) and entrepreneurial self‐efficacy (ESE). Specifically, the study is interested in empirically testing the mechanism (mediation/moderation) by which ESE affected the relationship between PP/EI.

Design/methodology/approach

For testing the mediation and moderation hypotheses the study used structural equation modeling and moderated regression analyses respectively.

Findings

The authors found that PP has a robust relationship with the three different manifestations of EI – general, high growth, and lifestyle. Furthermore, ESE not only mediated the relationship between PP and all the three forms of EI but also moderated the relationship between PP and high growth EI as well as PP and lifestyle EI.

Research limitations/implications

The authors studied intent, not behavior, with the understanding that cognitive intent is a powerful predictor of later behavior. Future research can replicate this study using entrepreneurial behavior instead of intent. Implications for education and future research are discussed.

Practical implications

The results of the study can be used and applied to both pedagogic and business settings in the field of entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

The present study not only provides evidence for the robust relationship between EI and PP but provides insight into the mechanism by which ESE affects EI/PP relationship.

Citation

Prabhu, V.P., McGuire, S.J., Drost, E.A. and Kwong, K.K. (2012), "Proactive personality and entrepreneurial intent : Is entrepreneurial self‐efficacy a mediator or moderator?", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 18 No. 5, pp. 559-586. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551211253937