Relationship between the informal social networks and entrepreneurial intentions of Chinese college students: the mediating role of entrepreneurial learning
ISSN: 0040-0912
Article publication date: 14 August 2024
Issue publication date: 29 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Many studies on entrepreneurial intention have explored the impact of different factors; however, few have examined the relationship between and impact mechanisms of informal social networks and entrepreneurial intention. This study aimed to bridge this research gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on social capital and ambidexterity theories. After surveying the data of 302 college students from different provinces and universities in China, a mediation model for research is constructed.
Findings
Informal social networks help enhance college students’ entrepreneurial intentions, whereas entrepreneurial learning (exploratory and exploitative learning) partially mediates this relationship.
Originality/value
This study empirically explores the impact of informal social networks on the entrepreneurial intentions of Chinese college students and indicates the crucial role played by entrepreneurial learning (divided into exploratory and exploitative learning).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to those who assisted in the questionnaire design, data collection, and analysis processes.
Funding: This work was supported by the 2022 National Social Science Foundation (22CSH069): Research on the implementation path and social support system of self-entrepreneurship for people with disabilities in the digital era.
Citation
Tang, X., Li, G., Lv, L., Wang, P. and Zhu, R. (2024), "Relationship between the informal social networks and entrepreneurial intentions of Chinese college students: the mediating role of entrepreneurial learning", Education + Training, Vol. 66 No. 8, pp. 1055-1076. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-08-2023-0338
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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