THE INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL PASSION AND CREATIVITY ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to analyze the influence of entrepreneurial passion and creativity on entrepreneurial intent. It also examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy between the personal/cognitive variable and entrepreneurial intention. Originality/value: By stressing the importance of cognitive and emotional variables that may influence entrepreneurial intentions among university students (such as creativity and entrepreneurial passion), this study shows the important role that universities have in the development of entrepreneurial intent. According to the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the environment influences individual behavior and, therefore, universities should encourage an entrepreneurial environment, enabling the creation of new jobs and companies. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through a survey with business and technology students from a Brazilian university. In total, 338 valid responses were obtained, which were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The data were collected in a cross-sectional manner and by a stratified and non-probability sampling method. To address the research hypothesis and to attain the objectives of the study, all constructs were adapted from relevant literature in the field of entrepreneurship. The structural model was examined in relation to the model fit, which enabled the hypothesis to be tested. Findings: Results showed both a direct and indirect positive relationship between entrepreneurial passion on entrepreneurial intention. Regarding the creativity factor, results indicated only an indirect effect of creativity on entrepreneurial intention, this relationship being mediated through entrepreneurial self-efficacy. No significant differences were found in the model regarding age, gender, graduation program, entrepreneurial family background, role models or family income.