Post-COVID-19 Entrepreneurial Intentions: The Influence of Creativity, Mindset, and Self-Efficacy in Entrepreneurship Education

Purpose: This research is aimed at exploring creativity, entrepreneurial attitude, & self-efficacy role in entrepreneurial intentions among Pakistani university undergraduates in the post-COVID-19 period and entrepreneurship education (EE) as a key mediator. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of 206 management students (quantitative) was conducted and evaluated based on PLS-SEM to examine direct and mediating effects, and validated scales were utilized to measure all the constructs. Findings: The results indicate that entrepreneurial intention is significantly and positively defined by creativity, mindset, and self-efficacy, with the highest direct impact being identified as with the creativity (b = 0.36). Most importantly, EE has a significant mediating role in all three correlations, enhancing the effects of mindset (b = 0.29), self-efficacy (b = 0.10), and creativity (b = 0.16) on intention, as an agent that translates psychological factors into practical objectives. Implications/Originality/Value: The research is a unique validation of EE as a transformative mediator in a post-pandemic context with resource restrictions, a progressive contribution to Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory. It demonstrates creativity as the core motivator of intent, threatening Western-centric theories, and offers practical evidence to policy makers and practitioners to plan experiential, confidence-building, and creativity inspired EE programs that would help youth develop innovative capabilities and economic sustainability in developing economies.