Fostering potential entrepreneurs: an empirical study of the drivers of green self-efficacy in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The positive role of entrepreneurship and micro and small enterprises in providing job opportunities necessitated a further investigation into the critical individual factors motivating individuals and potential entrepreneurs (students) to develop their entrepreneurial intentions and act green. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the effects of crucial factors—environmental self-identity (ESI) and green mindfulness (GM)—on students’ (potential entrepreneurs’) development of green self-efficacy (GSE) and to examine the influence of GSE on their green entrepreneurial intentions (GEIs). The study sample of 202 potential entrepreneurs was drawn from two Applied and Business Administration Colleges at King Faisal University. The collected data were analysed and interpreted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The research produced exciting results showing that ESI and GM positively influenced GSE and that GSE positively affected GEI. The results also revealed GSE’s capability to mediate the connection between GM, ESI, and GEI. This paper concludes by providing several suggestions for decision-makers in the study context.

Intentions to Create Green Start-Ups for Collection of Unwanted Drugs: An Empirical Study

“…Conversely, if a student feels the desire to create a green start-up "but does not perceive high levels of self-efficacy, he or she will not intend to do so" [55] (p. 9). This result supports the results of several previous empirical works that perceived self-efficacy has a positive impact on green entrepreneurship intentions directly [23,34,55,67,74,77,89] and indirectly [56,79]. Self-efficacy is "termed as an enabling factor in recognizing the opportunity of an entrepreneurial startup" [80] (p. 2), and it is also "a central personality characteristic that contributes to the understanding of what drives the successful growth of start-ups" [82] (p. 1043).…”

“…For this reason and in light of previous investigations (such as refs. [19][20][21]23,24,31,34,35]), we chose the questionnaire survey method as a quantitative approach to collect primary data from students. Moreover, in order to determine the percentage of improvement in the predictive ability of the expanded model, we applied hierarchical multiple regression analysis as a commonly used statistical method in this field (e.g., refs.…”

“…Alvarez-Risco et al [34] concluded that support (i.e., "educational, conceptual, and country support") is an important predictor of students' green entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Previous research has provided empirical evidence that self-efficacy is positively associated with sustainable start-up intention [55,64], green entrepreneurial intention [23,34,67,74,77], green innova-tion [80,81], and start-up survival [82]. Also, Vuorio et al [18] suggest that self-efficacy has a positive effect on perceived entrepreneurial feasibility.…”

“…All of these studies have demonstrated the importance of adding new constructs to the TPB, and Ajzen [60] (p. 317) also confirmed that "the TPB is, in principle, open to the inclusion of additional predictors". Therefore, beyond the TPB constructs, studies have shown that green start-ups and entrepreneurship intention and behaviors can be affected by green mindfulness [23], university entrepreneurial support [44], financial support and entrepreneurship culture [61], and entrepreneurial passion [62], among other factors.…”

The Innovative Entrepreneurial Marketing Journey and Sustainable Development of Southeast Asian Immigrants

“…For micro and small enterprises, the characteristics of entrepreneurs are key to sustainable operation and development. These sectors are highly heterogeneous, involving a broad range of activities [27]. Due to their small scale, adapting swiftly to environmental changes is crucial, and every decision is significant.…”