Impact of opportunity and capability on e-entrepreneurial motivation: a comparison of urban and rural perspectives

Abstract

Purpose E-entrepreneurship is developed based on digital platforms, having specific technical opportunities, such as the interactive ecosystem, fast payment method and online store function, without strict requirements for online entrepreneurs. Considering China’s e-entrepreneurship environment and cultural background, this paper aims to analyse individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation based on the capability–opportunity–motivation–behaviour (COM-B) behaviour changing theory. Design/methodology/approach Through testing 602 samples based on the partial least squares path modelling and variance-based structural equation modelling, the factors from the opportunity and capability units positively affect individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation. Meanwhile, because of the economic and social environmental differences between China’s urban and rural regions, this study promotes the multi-group analysis based on individuals’ regional backgrounds. Findings First, as opportunity factors, technical and policy opportunities have significantly positive relationships with individuals’ e-entrepreneurship motivation. Second, entrepreneurial and cultural capabilities are essential for Chinese entrepreneurs while making an entrepreneurial decision. Third, because of the e-entrepreneurial environment difference and educational system gap, entrepreneurial capability exerts a greater influence on the e-entrepreneurship motivation for Chinese individuals from urban regions, and cultural capability exerts a higher impact on the e-entrepreneurship motivation for Chinese individuals from rural regions. Originality/value Whilst the phenomenon of e-entrepreneurship is emerging as a popular entrepreneurship area of study, little research has systematically explored individuals’ e-entrepreneurial motivation and analysed influencing factors from macro and minor aspects. According to the COM-B behaviour changing theory, this paper discovers influencing factors from environmental opportunity and personal capability units, and it is helpful to present individuals’ attitudes to the platform-based business model.

Green entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: shaping the landscape of the greener economy

“…Likewise, the path analysis has proved that GOs' have positive and significant effects on GE. These findings are consistent with those of numerous previous studies by such as Zampetakis and Kanelakis (2010), Ghura et al (2017), Nordin and Hassan (2019), Ahmed et al (2020), Rizvi and Garg (2021), Li and Kang (2022) and Mia et al (2022). These outcomes demonstrate that there are no entry barriers to their markets.…”

“…(2017), Nordin and Hassan (2019), Ahmed et al. (2020), Rizvi and Garg (2021), Li and Kang (2022) and Mia et al. (2022).…”

“…Previous studies have concentrated mainly on the direct effects of factors such as GES, entrepreneurial competency, GESE, entrepreneurial education, GOs, EI, innovation, EM, entrepreneurial tasks, GIs, AoC, green performance, entrepreneurial competencies, green innovations, green responsiveness and capital (human, social and psychological) (Rajabi et al, 2018;Bag and Gupta, 2020;Rajapakse et al, 2022;Paliwal et al, 2022;Lingappa et al, 2023). However, in the direct or indirect presence of GESE, these associations are not concentrated enough (Nowi nski et al, 2019;Soomro et al, 2020a, b;Hussain et al, 2021;Jiatong et al, 2021;Mia et al, 2022;Li and Kang, 2022;Tran et al, 2023;Lingappa et al, 2023;Al Shammre et al, 2023). Contextually, these associations need further investigation among Saudi Arabia's SMEs since these play a vital role in the country's economic development and well-being.…”

“…Likewise, Zampetakis and Kanelakis' (2010) findings demonstrate that entrepreneurs' personality traits of future social status, previous knowledge and level of education are significant interpreters of entrepreneurship opportunities. There is a positive and meaningful association between technical and policy opportunities and individuals' motivations to involve themselves in e-entrepreneurship (Li and Kang, 2022). Based on the positive association between GOs and GE, we formulated the following hypothesis to seek confirmation in the context of Saudi Arabian SMEs.…”

Factors of Women Entrepreneurship in Egypt: A Qualitative Perspective

“…Whereas in low-level economic development countries such as Romania, Ghana and Kenya, income increasing or materialistic motivations are significantly more important than non-materialistic ones (Amorós et al, 2020; Benzing & Chu, 2009). These findings suggested that motivational factors may differ among countries according to their development level, perception of business opportunities (Benzing & Chu, 2009; Galindo-Martín et al, 2019; Li & Kang, 2022; Solesvik et al, 2019; Zisser et al, 2019), or culture as well as the role of gender are significant in understanding differences in entrepreneurial motivations.…”