Mediation and Moderated Mediation in the Relationship Among Role Models, Self-Efficacy, Entrepreneurial Career Intention, and Gender

• Published in: Journal of applied social psychology Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 270 - 297
• Main Authors: BarNir, Anat, Watson, Warren E., Hutchins, Holly M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-02-2011; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Awards & honors; Entrepreneurs; Gender; Mediation; Role models
• ISSN: 0021-9029; 1559-1816
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00713.x

This paper addresses the effects of role models and self‐efficacy on forming career intentions, and whether the effects vary by gender and process. Focusing on entrepreneurship as a career choice, we explored (a) the effect of exposure to entrepreneurial role models on entrepreneurial career intention; (b) the difference in effects between men and women; and (c) the mediating functionality of self‐efficacy. Results indicate that role models have a significant and positive impact on intention, that gender moderated the effects, and that self‐efficacy mediated it. A moderated mediation relationship was observed such that, for women, role models had stronger influence on self‐efficacy, which, in turn, influenced entrepreneurial career intention. Results are discussed in terms of implications for theory and practice.