Effects of entrepreneurial creativity on entrepreneurial intention. Mediating role of entrepreneurial mindset

Abstract

This study explores the effect of entrepreneurial creativity (EC) on entrepreneurial intention (EI), focusing on the mediating role of entrepreneurial mindset (EM) among final-year students at selected tertiary institutions in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze survey data collected from a sample of 316 valid respondents. The measurement model established acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. The structural model results revealed that entrepreneurial creativity has a positive and statistically significant direct relationship with entrepreneurial intention ($\beta = 0.505$, $t = 11.415$, $p < 0.05$). Furthermore, the entrepreneurial mindset significantly mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial creativity and entrepreneurial intention ($\beta = 0.679$, $t = 16.649$, $p < 0.05$). The Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) further highlights entrepreneurial creativity as a high-importance and high-performance construct. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and university management in designing target intervention frameworks to foster undergraduate entrepreneurial drive.