Linking cognitive flexibility to entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial intention among medical students with the moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy: A second-order moderated mediation model

Abstract

This study extended the research on the association between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intention by developing a moderated mediation model. This research examined whether entrepreneurial alertness mediates this association. This study also investigated whether entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates this mediation model by conducting a moderated mediation model. The sample of this study comprised 486 medical university students of Pakistan. Data gathered using a self-report administered questionnaire and hypotheses were tested with SEM structural equation modeling technique through AMOS user-defined estimates and developed a syntax based on Hayes model 15 of process macro. The results revealed that cognitive flexibility is positively related to entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, findings showed that the indirect relationship of entrepreneurial alertness via entrepreneurial self-efficacy on cognitive flexibility and the entrepreneurial intention was also significant. This study contributes to the emerging research on psychology and entrepreneurship as well as concludes that individuals with a high level of cognitive flexibility, entrepreneurial alertness, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy are more inclined to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.

Relationship Between Proactive Personality and Entrepreneurial Intentions in College Students: Mediation Effects of Social Capital and Human Capital

“…Entrepreneurial intention also emphasized personal innovation, initiatives, and a degree of risk-bearing in an individual ( Covin and Slevin, 1989 ). The previous empirical studies showed that personality traits had a significant impact on the entrepreneurial intention of college students ( Cai et al, 2021 ; Jiatong et al, 2021 ; Murad et al, 2021 ). As a positive personality trait, individuals with proactive personality were more prone to starting a business.…”

From COVID-19 Pandemic to Entrepreneurial Behavior: The Mediating Effect of Proactive Personality and the Moderating Role of Anticipated Regret

“…Theoretical models that analyze the entrepreneurial process emphasize the importance of personal, cognitive, and prescriptive factors to determine the probability that an individual would be willing to start a new business ( Jiatong et al, 2021b ). Among the main factors related to entrepreneurial intentions are personality traits associated with entrepreneurs ( Fragoso et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Social and economic factors are the drivers of the conditions in which people live. Employment, safety, income, education, social support, and discrimination factors account for around 40% of all health ( Jiatong et al, 2021b ). The idea that social and economic factors are related to the health and satisfaction of the individual provides a starting point for an economy that is more focused on human well-being.…”

Dark personality traits and entrepreneurial intentions among Pakistani university students: The role of executive functions and academic intent to entrepreneurship

“…Cognitive flexibility is an essential element of executive functioning ( Miller et al, 2012 ). Jiatong et al (2021) concluded that cognitive flexibility is not only positively related to entrepreneurial intentions as well as alertness but also has an indirect relation of alertness with cognitive flexibility via entrepreneurial efficacy. Clements et al (2021) provided a framework that helps to understand entrepreneurial cognitions.…”

“…Studying particular executive functions may also help in understanding the particular cognitive styles in relation to the entrepreneurial process. So far, researchers have mainly focused on the cognitive flexibility aspect of executive functioning within an entrepreneurial framework ( Dheer and Lenartowicz, 2019 ; Jiatong et al, 2021 ), while the role of working memory and inhibitory control is yet to be explored. Pihie et al (2013) have delineated the cognitive underpinning of entrepreneurial intentions among university students from a knowledge perspective.…”