Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Actions among Graduates: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness and Opportunity Identification for Facilitating Reduction in Unemployment

Abstract

Reducing unemployment challenges is possible with graduates becoming entrepreneurs. However, the challenge persists as a result of difficulties in transmitting entrepreneurial efficaciousness from training programmes to successful entrepreneurial actions. A dearth of studies exists with regard to how certain key entrepreneurial skills as habit and ways of the mind as well as opportunity identification influence entrepreneurial ship. This study investigated the possible mediating role of mindfulness and opportunity identification in the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial actions among graduates. Using the ex-post facto design, four hundred (400) hundred corps graduates in the National Youth Service Corp deployed to serve in Oyo state were selected for the study. Four standardized and valid scale were used for data collection. Two research hypotheses were tested in the study Data was analyzed, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Path analysis.. The result indicated that there were significant relationships among all four variables investigated. While mindfulness was an effective mediator in the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial action, the effect of opportunity identification was unexpectedly not significant. This study therefore suggest the inclusion and promotion of mindfulness and opportunity identification skills in entrepreneurial development programmes and course targeting graduates from tertiary institutions.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, Mindfulness, Opportunity identification, Entrepreneurial actions