The Study of Identity Perception in College Student Entrepreneurs and the Development of Entrepreneurship Opportunity: Based on Longitudinal Multi-case Study

This study examines the transformation of identity cognition in college student entrepreneurs as a critical factor in fostering entrepreneurial opportunities. Utilizing the framework of identity cognition theory, ten exemplary entrepreneurial ventures led by college students were selected for analysis. The research employs longitudinal analysis to explore the process mechanism through which these entrepreneurs transition from a "student" identity to a "leader" identity, thereby identifying and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. Findings indicate that identity cognition significantly influences an entrepreneur's perception and recognition of various entrepreneurial opportunities. The values, abilities, and personality traits of these college student entrepreneurs are synergistically enhanced, with their leadership identity construction continually strengthened under the mediation of scientific logic, business logic, and pivotal events. By integrating technology with market demand, the entrepreneurial journey is characterized by the dynamic evolution of both identity cognition and entrepreneurial opportunity development. Entrepreneurs leverage innovation commitment in their strategic choices for startups via two pathways: breakthrough entrepreneurial opportunities and incremental entrepreneurial opportunities. The primary contribution of this research lies in elucidating the mechanism of identity cognition in the developmental process of entrepreneurial opportunities for college students.