The effect of effectuation on entrepreneurial intention: The moderating roles of openness and extraversion

Entrepreneurial intention represents a critical initial stage in the entrepreneurial process, particularly in the context of sustainable entrepreneurship. While extensive research has examined the factors contributing to the formation of entrepreneurial intention, there remains a lack of consensus in the literature on the key drivers. This study investigates the impact of effectuation on entrepreneurial intention using a sample of 582 college students in China. We approached this investigation through the application of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), a method adept at capturing the nuanced relationships between latent constructs within the complex entrepreneurial context. The findings from PLS-SEM reveal that effectuation significantly enhances entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, personality traits, specifically openness and extraversion, are shown to positively moderate the relationship between effectuation and entrepreneurial intention. This research offers theoretical contributions by highlighting the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions of entrepreneurial intention, and broadens the scope of effectuation research. It also provides practical implications that emphasize the importance of cultivating effectual thinking and entrepreneurial intention to address challenges in sustainable technology and entrepreneurship.