Let the games begin: the relationship between video gaming and entrepreneurial mindsets

PurposeThis article addresses the need for further conceptual development of the factors that influence the development of the entrepreneurial mindset. It focuses on finding a link between the classic mental models of entrepreneurship and those that are employed during video game play to explore if similarities exist.Design/methodology/approachUsing theories of entrepreneurship and opportunity recognition, the study examines a sample of 217 video gamers.FindingsThe results of this study suggest that an individual who exhibits a high level of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has an enhanced opportunity recognition capability when the intensity of playing video games is also high. Various genres of games were controlled for; however, it was found that shooting games have the highest effect on the emergence of opportunity recognition.Originality/valueThus, the study reveals that some game activities can be linked to entrepreneurial cognitions. This has implications for the entrepreneurial intent literature as it reveals certain actions can be linked with entrepreneurial information processing. These findings are useful for game designers and managers as well.

Perceptions on the role of practical and simulated learning in promoting successful entrepreneurship

Practical work-based learning (WBL) or simulated learning has been widely recognized as essential for developing desirable cognitive and behavioral qualities among university learners. Despite this recognition, most practical and simulated learning experiences have been directed to facilitate learners’ employability rather than to promote entrepreneurship. The study aimed to examine the perception of students on the usage of WBL to foster entrepreneurial intention at higher education institutions in South Africa. The study employed mixed research methods. The results show that opportunity recognition, desire to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities, increasing knowledge and skills, desire to be involved in starting a business, desire to own or manage a new business, desire to own or manage an old business, attitude towards entrepreneurship, motivation to be an entrepreneur, and fascination with entrepreneurship were key impacts of WBL among entrepreneurship students. Friedman test was carried out to compare the mean ranks of the nine impacts and test whether there were any significant differences in agreeableness to their impact. The test result was significant, and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance of 0.023 indicated no significant differences among the nine impact factors, which are not different in their strength as a key result of WBL. The study recommends the adoption of WBL strategies in entrepreneurial programs at universities.

How Does Social Media Influence College Students to Recognize Entrepreneurial Opportunities? - Evidence from China

The rapid development of information technology is having a profound impact on college students' entrepreneurial behavior,and accurately recognize entrepreneurial opportunities will affect the success or failure of individual entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study is to explore if and how social media influences college students to recognize entrepreneurial opportunities. A systematic review of relevant research results including social media in the field of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship of college students, etc., this paper puts forward five dimensions and six hypotheses, including entrepreneurial alertness, priori knowledge, social capital, entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, and social media. A total of 508 valid questionnaires were obtained by designing questionnaires, organizing surveys, and screening data for college students. Through the reliability and validity test, correlation analysis, and hypothesis test analysis of the returned questionnaire data, all six hypotheses were verified. The empirical analysis shows that social media can significantly affect the recognition of entrepreneurial opportunities for college entrepreneurs. priori knowledge and entrepreneurial alertness play a mediating role and a moderating role respectively in this process. Meanwhile, priori knowledge plays a significant positive role in promoting entrepreneurial vigilance. Social capital has a direct and positive impact on college students' entrepreneurial opportunity recognition, and plays a moderating role in the impact of social media on college students' entrepreneurial opportunity recognition.

Influence of Social Network Strength on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition: A Chain Mediation Model of Need Knowledge and Technological Knowledge

Entrepreneurial opportunity recognition is a key focus of entrepreneurship research and has received considerable attention in recent years. Previous research has highlighted that social network strength, need knowledge, and technological knowledge are important factors in entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and that these factors in isolation cannot sufficiently explain how entrepreneurial opportunities are recognized. Nonetheless, little is known about the effect that social network strength may exert on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition through need knowledge and technological knowledge. Building on social network theory, this study develops and examines a chain mediation model that incorporates need knowledge and technological knowledge into the relationship between social network strength and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. The results of this study demonstrate that the effect of social network strength on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition can be partitioned into the direct and indirect effects. In particular, the effect of social network strength on entrepreneurial opportunity recognition is mediated by need knowledge, not by technological knowledge. Moreover, need knowledge and technological knowledge play a continuous mediating role in the relationship between social network strength and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. These findings extend the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition literature by casting light on the knowledge conduits linking social network strength to entrepreneurial opportunity recognition.

The definition of entrepreneurship: is it less complex than we think?

PurposeThe paper introduces a new conceptualisation of entrepreneurship that promotes a broader perspective of the phenomenon. The purpose of the paper is to re-conceptualise the act of entrepreneurship so as to reduce it to the fundamental behaviours and processes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper sets out the motivations for and challenges in establishing a broader definition of entrepreneurship. Following this, current approaches to defining entrepreneurship are reviewed. In light of these, a definition of entrepreneurship is offered that captures a new perspective in understanding entrepreneurship. A critique of the offered definition is offered with regards to promoting theory development, empirical research, quality predictions and a distinctive research domain.FindingsThe authors argue that a definition of entrepreneurship that is focussed on the development and validation of ideas provides a thought-provoking re-conceptualisation of entrepreneurship. Extant perspectives on entrepreneurship as business/organisation creation, uncertainty, innovation, value creation and opportunity recognition/creation are drawn on to demonstrate the applicability of the definition.Originality/valueThe pursuit for an encompassing definition of entrepreneurship has been both extensive and earnest, which has inadvertently resulted in a sizable pool of definitions. The authors offer a re-conceptualisation of entrepreneurship with the intent to provide a broad yet coherent definition that encompasses all acts of entrepreneurship. A benefit of this conceptualisation is the establishment of the endpoint of the entrepreneurship process that delineates it from the domain of management.

Entrepreneurial sensing capabilities: the stimulating role of cross-cultural experience

PurposeDrawing on image theory, the authors investigate how and when cross-cultural experience cultivates two core entrepreneurial sensing capabilities: opportunity recognition and creative behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop and test a second-stage moderated mediation model across two studies. Study 1 consists of a sample of prospective entrepreneurs from the UK using perceptual scale measures (n = 153). Building on this, core findings are replicated using task-based measures on a sample of US participants (n = 342).FindingsResults show that cross-cultural experience is positively related to both entrepreneurial sensing capabilities through the mediating role of self-image fluidity. No support is found for the moderating role of regulatory focus orientations.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings contribute to the burgeoning literature on multicultural experience and initiating skills in nascent venturing by providing insight on the mechanisms and boundary conditions relevant for entrepreneurial capabilities to emerge.Practical implicationsThe results reinforce the need for educators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to facilitate and encourage opportunities for cross-cultural and overseas experiences as they are influential for stimulating entrepreneurial skills.Originality/valuePositive linkages between international mobility and entrepreneurial activity are of continued interest, yet individual-level mechanisms that explain this have been limited. The authors find that exposure to foreign cultures is potent for entrepreneurship as it can stimulate flexibility and exploration of the self-image and break frames of reference. This fosters greater tendencies for opportunity recognition and creative behaviors.

Delineating competency and opportunity recognition in the entrepreneurial intention analysis framework

Purpose This study aims to delineate opportunity recognition as a competency from opportunity recognition as an outcome in the form of ideas and opportunities. In addition, a model was developed to examine the antecedents that lead to opportunity recognition competency, the intention to be an entrepreneur and finally, the actual number of ideas and opportunities discovered. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from a total of 247 randomly selected final year students from two private universities in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was applied to test the associations. Findings Study revealed that opportunity recognition competency and ability to develop ideas or exploitable opportunities are distinct constructs. Students with high competency in recognising opportunities are interested to be an entrepreneur but are not necessarily prepared with tangible ideas or exploitable opportunities. Absorptive capacity, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial knowledge were found to be significant predictors of opportunity recognition competency. Practical implications Firstly, in managing outputs of entrepreneurship education and trainings, opportunity recognition competency and number of ideas and opportunities should be separately and explicitly measured. Secondly, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial knowledge must be emphasised in entrepreneurial education or training on guiding students to be alert to information and honing their opportunity recognition competency skills through active search techniques. Originality/value This study is one of the few studies that clarify and empirically distinguish the concept of opportunity recognition as competency from opportunity recognition as an outcome in the forms of ideas and exploitable opportunities.