Exploring the multi-focus influence of identity on students' entrepreneurial intent

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Empirical studies examining the predictors of intentions usually focus on the effect a single identity has on intentions. Adapting Shapero's events model, the current study investigates the relationship between three identity constructs (person, role and social) on entrepreneurial intentions of 234 university students (undergraduate and graduate, full-time and part-time). Three separate multiple mediation models were used to determine the mediating effect of perceived desirability and feasibility on the relationship between three entrepreneurial identities (person, role and social) and entrepreneurial intentions. Data was analyzed using correlation, regression and bootstrapping analyses.

Findings and Conclusions: Results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between person, role and social identities. Person, role and social identity predicted entrepreneurial intentions. All of the hypothesized relationships were supported. The findings also indicate that both perceived desirability and feasibility were significant mediators of the effect of the multiple entrepreneurial identities on entrepreneurial intentions Perceived desirability and feasibility fully mediated the relationship between personal identity and entrepreneurial intentions. Whereas, perceived desirability and feasibility only partially mediated the relationship between role and social identity on entrepreneurial intentions. The findings of this study provide support for the belief that multiple identities are antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions.