The motivation model and characteristics of Chinese college students' entrepreneurship: an empirical study based on grounded theory

Purpose This paper aims to explore the formation mechanism of entrepreneurial motivation among Chinese college students and its influence on entrepreneurial behaviors. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts purposive sampling and conducts in-depth semi-structured interviews with 21 outstanding college student entrepreneurs. Guided by classic grounded theory, this research carries out three rounds of coding procedures including open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Theoretical saturation test is further implemented to verify the robustness of the constructed model. Findings The results reveal that college students’ entrepreneurial motivation is a compound driving system shaped by the interplay of internal and external factors, which consists of three core dimensions: spiritual drive, material drive and external drive. Although individual traits and practical experiences do not serve as direct motivational factors, they act as fundamental preconditions. These two elements regulate the conversion efficiency of internal and external drivers and ultimately affect college students’ entrepreneurial behaviors. Originality/value Rather than claiming to fill major research gaps, this study extends existing entrepreneurial motivation theories. It integrates spiritual, material and external driving factors alongside individual traits and practical experiences and develops a structured motivational model tailored to college student groups.