Entrepreneurial Education and Entrepreneurial Success: The Mediating Role of Learner Autonomy and the Moderating Influence of Digital Literacy

This study investigates how learner autonomy and digital literacy collectively bridge the gap between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial success. Employing a quantitative approach, this research was conducted in Tehran, Iran, with+ a sample of 200 entrepreneurial graduates selected through stratified random sampling. Data collected via questionnaires were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The conceptual model is grounded in frameworks such as the theory of planned behavior (TPB), human value theory and autonomous learning theory, alongside recent research on digital transformation, and posits that while entrepreneurial education directly enhances success and fosters autonomy, the efficacy of autonomous learning in achieving superior entrepreneurial outcomes is moderated by digital literacy. Not only do the findings confirm the direct role of entrepreneurial education and the mediating role of learner autonomy but they also reveal that digital literacy significantly strengthens the relationship between learner autonomy and entrepreneurial success. These results offer significant theoretical implications for the literature on entrepreneurial behavior and autonomous learning. Furthermore, they provide practical guidance for educators, curriculum designers and policymakers, emphasizing that the simultaneous development of both individual autonomy and digital skills is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of entrepreneurial education programs.