Do Entrepreneurial Characteristics Moderate the Relationship between Experiential Learning and Entrepreneurial Mindset?

Abstract

This study aims not only to verify ‘the experiential learning–entrepreneurial mindset relationship’, but also to test which entrepreneurial characteristics (i.e., innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, need for achievement, and proactiveness) moderate ‘the experiential learning–entrepreneurial mindset relationship’. The data were collected from 313 undergraduate students who have already taken the entrepreneurship course and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The results showed the positive relationships between experiential learning and elaboration mindset, and between experiential learning and implementing mindset. However, need for achievement and proactiveness were found to moderate ‘the experiential learning–entrepreneurial mindset relationship’, whereas innovativeness and risk-taking propensity did not moderate that relationship. This study provides theoretical implications in extending the literature of experiential learning theory, Dweck’s implicit theory of intelligence, and entrepreneurial characteristics. This study also has practical implications for entrepreneurship educators.
 
 Received: 16 September 2022 / Accepted: 25 December 2022 / Published: 5 January 2023

The Effect of Experiential Learning Program on Entrepreneurial Mindset: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…Theoretical support for this study consists of the Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory [the Kolb's ELT] (Kolb, 2015;Bernardus et al, 2023) and the Dweck's Implicit Theory of Intelligence [the Dweck's ITI] (Bernardus et al, 2022). Experiential learning is based on the Kolb's ELT, whereas entrepreneurial mindset is based on the Dweck's ITI.…”

“…Experiential learning is based on the Kolb's ELT, whereas entrepreneurial mindset is based on the Dweck's ITI. According to the Kolb's ELT, persons who are highly involved in the experiential learning program tend to strongly implement their knowledge in the real-life contexts based on their own experiences and the others' experiences (Bernardus et al, 2023). On the other hand, referring to the Dweck's ITI, the entrepreneurial mindset of any person can or cannot be improved (Bernardus et al, 2022).…”

“…However, the finding did not indicate the causeeffect relationship (Bernardus et al, 2023). Following up on Bernardus et al's (2023) finding and in order to examine the cause-effect relationship, this study aimed to verify the effectiveness of the experiential learning program in enhancing the entrepreneurial mindset. Specifically, this study was intervention study and intended to answer the following research questions:…”

“…Instead of the entrepreneurial mindset as an outcome variable (Tuckman & Harper, 2012), previous intervention studies in Indonesia found that the experiential learning program was successful in increasing the other outcome variables, namely, entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurial intention (Bernardus et al, 2020a), and problem-solving ability (Hulaikah et al, 2020). Meanwhile, by using the cross-sectional design, Bernardus et al (2023) found that the experiential learning was positively related to the entrepreneurial mindset. However, the finding did not indicate the causeeffect relationship (Bernardus et al, 2023).…”

“…Meanwhile, by using the cross-sectional design, Bernardus et al (2023) found that the experiential learning was positively related to the entrepreneurial mindset. However, the finding did not indicate the causeeffect relationship (Bernardus et al, 2023). Following up on Bernardus et al's (2023) finding and in order to examine the cause-effect relationship, this study aimed to verify the effectiveness of the experiential learning program in enhancing the entrepreneurial mindset.…”