Exploring the determinants of entrepreneurial behavior among students in Chinese vocational colleges: A mediated and moderated model

In response to China's increasingly competitive employment landscape, entrepreneurship has become an essential career alternative for vocational college students. Given the high risks and failure rates associated with entrepreneurial ventures, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence students' entrepreneurial behavior. This study investigates the roles of self-efficacy, entrepreneurship education, and creative thinking as key drivers of entrepreneurial behavior, with entrepreneurial mindset serving as a mediating variable. Furthermore, the moderating effects of social media and social network on the relationship between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial behavior are examined. Using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), data were analyzed from 589 valid responses collected across six vocational colleges in Shandong Province, China. The results demonstrate that entrepreneurial mindset significantly mediates the effects of self-efficacy, entrepreneurship education, and creative thinking on entrepreneurial behavior. Additionally, both social media and social network significantly moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial behavior. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by validating a comprehensive model of entrepreneurial behavior and offers practical implications for educators, policymakers, and future researchers. • Entrepreneurial mindset mediates three drivers of entrepreneurial behavior. • Self-efficacy, entrepreneurship education, and creative thinking shape mindset and behavior. • Social media and social network moderate the link between entrepreneurial mindset and behavior. • A new model integrates cognitive, educational, and social determinants of entrepreneurial behavior. • Offers actionable insights to enhance entrepreneurship education in vocational colleges.