The Cognitive Pathways from Social Capital to Entrepreneurship: Evidence on the Roles of Self-Efficacy, Mindset and Attitude

Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is a critical precursor to venture creation, yet the mechanisms through which social capital (SC) influences EI remain underexplored. This study investigates the direct and indirect effects of SC on EI, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), entrepreneurial mindset (EM), and attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) as mediators. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the research proposes a serial mediation model to explain how SC enhances EI through cognitive and psychological pathways. A quantitative survey was conducted with 450 university students in Gujranwala, Pakistan, using validated scales for SC, EM, ESE, ATE, and EI. The findings highlight that SC not only provides external resources but also cultivates internal entrepreneurial traits, thereby strengthening EI. The study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by integrating macro-level (network resources) and micro-level (cognitive-psychological) perspectives, offering a holistic understanding of EI formation. Practical implications suggest that policymakers and educators should design interventions that enhance both social networks and entrepreneurial cognition to foster startup intentions. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and regional sample, suggesting the need for future longitudinal and cross-cultural research.