Social network and entrepreneurial intention of college students in China: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

Improving college students’ entrepreneurial intention is an effective strategy to cultivate entrepreneurial talents and build an innovation-driven country. However, the influencing mechanisms on college students’ entrepreneurial intention are still unclear. The study explored the impact of college students’ social network on their entrepreneurial efficacy and intention through structural equation modelling. Employing cluster random sampling, we recruited 1 036 Chinese college students (female = 50.6%; humanities = 14 .6%, social sciences = 44.2%, sciences = 18%, engineering = 20.9%, agriculture and medicine = 2.3%; mean age = 20.50 years, SD = 0.51 years), who completed surveys on social network, entrepreneurial efficacy, entrepreneurial climate, and entrepreneurial intention. The results indicated that the social network perceived by college students had a significant positive effect on their entrepreneurial efficacy and intention. Entrepreneurial efficacy mediated the relationship between college students’ social network and entrepreneurial intention. For higher entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial climate positively moderated the impact of social network on entrepreneurial efficacy, making it stronger. These findings suggest a need for building the online or offline entrepreneurial social networks and for creating a positive entrepreneurial climate for young adults as emerging business people.