An Investigation into the Mediating Role of Risk-Taking in Shaping Entrepreneurial Intentions during the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study investigates the influence of key psychological factors on entrepreneurial intention (EI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has introduced unprecedented levels of uncertainty, potentially impacting individuals' engagement in entrepreneurial activities. The objective of this research is to enhance our understanding of entrepreneurship in the pandemic context by examining the roles of self-efficacy, curiosity, and willingness to take risks in shaping entrepreneurial intention.
Data from 247 Romanian respondents were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques. The results support the proposed model, revealing significant direct relationships between self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention, as well as between curiosity and entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, the findings indicate that these relationships are fully mediated by the willingness to take risks.
The findings emphasize the mediating role of willingness to take risks, highlighting that even in a crisis, individuals who combine self-efficacy and curiosity with a willingness to take risks are more likely to foster entrepreneurial intention.