Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderate effects of cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial alertness on entrepreneurial intentions?

Objective: The objective of this article is to empirically investigate whether entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates the effects of cognitive flexibility, entrepreneurial alertness on entrepreneurial intentions. It is based on social cognitive theory and person-environment fit theory; the present study aimed to identify the impact of cognitive flexibility, entrepreneurial alertness on entrepreneurial intention.Research Design & Methods: The sample of this study comprised 486 respondents from the public sector business schools of Pakistan. Data were gathered using a self-report administered questionnaire, and hypotheses were tested with structural equation modelling.Findings: The results supported the structured hypotheses of the study where cognitive flexibility positively predicts the conditional direct relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial intentions.Implications & Recommendations: Our study has some practical implications for the researcher, educationist, and policymakers who are directly and indirectly involved in enhancing the growth of entrepreneurship.Contribution & Value Added: A unique technique adopted to run a second-order moderated mediation model through AMOS v.26 in one-shot. This study contributes to the emerging research of cognitive psychology and entrepreneurship fields and concludes that individuals with a high level of cognitive flexibility, alertness, and self-efficacy are more inclined to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.