A programmatic intervention to promote entrepreneurial self-efficacy, critical behavior, and technology readiness among underrepresented college students

Factors Determining Acceptance of Internet of Things in Medical Education: Mixed Methods Study

Background

The global increase in the Internet of Things (IoT) adoption has sparked interest in its application within the educational sector, particularly in colleges and universities. Previous studies have often focused on individual attitudes toward IoT without considering a multiperspective approach and have overlooked the impact of IoT on the technology acceptance model outside the educational domain.

Objective

This study aims to bridge the research gap by investigating the factors influencing IoT adoption in educational settings, thereby enhancing the understanding of collaborative learning through technology. It seeks to elucidate how IoT can facilitate learning processes and technology acceptance among college and university students in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to students across various colleges and universities in the United Arab Emirates, garnering 463 participants. The data collected were analyzed using a hybrid approach that integrates structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN), along with importance-performance map analysis to evaluate the significance and performance of each factor affecting IoT adoption.

Results

The study, involving 463 participants, identifies 2 primary levels at which factors influence the intention to adopt IoT technologies. Initial influences include technology optimism (TOP), innovation, and learning motivation, crucial for application engagement. Advanced influences stem from technology acceptance model constructs, particularly perceived ease of use (PE) and perceived usefulness (PU), which directly enhance adoption intentions. Detailed statistical analysis using partial least squares-SEM reveals significant relationships: TOP and innovativeness impact PE (β=.412, P=.04; β=.608, P=.002, respectively), and PU significantly influences TOP (β=.381, P=.04), innovativeness (β=.557, P=.003), and learning motivation (β=.752, P<.001). These results support our hypotheses (H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5). Further, the intention to use IoT is significantly affected by PE and usefulness (β=.619, P<.001; β=.598, P<.001, respectively). ANN modeling enhances these findings, showing superior predictive power (R2=89.7%) compared to partial least squares-SEM (R2=86.3%), indicating a more effective identification of nonlinear associations. Importance-performance map analysis corroborates these results, demonstrating the importance and performance of PU as most critical, followed by technology innovativeness and optimism, in shaping behavioral intentions to use IoT.

Conclusions

This research contributes methodologically by leveraging deep ANN architecture to explore nonlinear relationships among factors influencing IoT adoption in education. The study underscores the importance of both intrinsic motivational factors and perceived technological attributes in fostering IoT adoption, offering insights for educational institutions considering IoT integration into their learning environments.

Entrepreneurial attitude in female Latin American university students: internal and external influences

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of locus of control, the university environment and the social environment on the entrepreneurial attitude of female Latin American university students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a quan–qual design. The quan section analyzes the data of 10,781 female university students from 11 Latin American countries included in the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students Survey 2018. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was applied. The qual section applies in-depth interviews for sequential methodological triangulation analysis.

Findings

The evidence indicates that locus of control, the university environment and the social environment positively impact the entrepreneurial attitude of female Latin American university students. The most influential factor was locus of control.

Originality/value

This empirical study focuses on female university students and their propensity for business venturing and determines the main influences on their entrepreneurial attitudes.

Academic Satisfaction of Women Students of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Roles of Discrimination, Proactive Personality, and Critical Consciousness

Underrepresentation of women and students of color has been a longstanding issue in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The present study examined factors that contribute to academic satisfaction among 585 women college students of color ( Mage = 21.42, SDage = 3.25; nBlack = 174, nLatina = 171, nAsian = 240), based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory satisfaction model. Experiences of discrimination was selected as an environmental obstacle and proactive personality as a person input in the model. In addition, critical consciousness was included as a personal resource variable. Multigroup measurement invariance tests and multigroup structural equation modeling were conducted to examine the racial/ethnic differences in constructs and their interrelationships. The findings showed that discrimination, proactive personality, and critical consciousness contributed to academic satisfaction via self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goal progress. Theoretical, clinical, and institutional implications are discussed in light of the findings. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Internet Entrepreneurship Psychology for College Students and Internet Financial Crimes Prevention

This work aims to study the entrepreneurial intention of college students’ Internet Entrepreneurship and the potential risk of Internet financial crime from a psychological perspective. Here, the relevant psychological theories are used to analyze the personal and social factors of College Students’ Internet Financing Entrepreneurship. Specifically, College Students’ Internet Financial Entrepreneurship factors are examined alongside the excellence and feasibility of Internet Entrepreneurship. Secondly, it introduces the main types of Internet financial crimes and analyzes the psychological traits of college students’ Internet financial crimes. Further, the research reveals the possibility of college students committing Internet financial crimes by investigating the current situation of College Students’ Internet Entrepreneurship through a questionnaire survey. The results show that 78% of the respondents have studied college Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education (IEE). More than 90% are interested in entrepreneurship, but most have not undertaken entrepreneurship. Therefore, the current college students’ enthusiasm for Internet Financial Entrepreneurship is affected by many factors and is not high. Finally, given the existing problems, hierarchical nesting prevention measures are proposed to prevent college students’ Internet financial crimes during entrepreneurship. This work provides a reference for analyzing the psychological factors of College Students’ Internet Financial Entrepreneurship and preventing potential Internet financial crimes.

Linking cognitive flexibility to entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial intention among medical students with the moderating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy: A second-order moderated mediation model

This study extended the research on the association between cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial intention by developing a moderated mediation model. This research examined whether entrepreneurial alertness mediates this association. This study also investigated whether entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates this mediation model by conducting a moderated mediation model. The sample of this study comprised 486 medical university students of Pakistan. Data gathered using a self-report administered questionnaire and hypotheses were tested with SEM structural equation modeling technique through AMOS user-defined estimates and developed a syntax based on Hayes model 15 of process macro. The results revealed that cognitive flexibility is positively related to entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, findings showed that the indirect relationship of entrepreneurial alertness via entrepreneurial self-efficacy on cognitive flexibility and the entrepreneurial intention was also significant. This study contributes to the emerging research on psychology and entrepreneurship as well as concludes that individuals with a high level of cognitive flexibility, entrepreneurial alertness, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy are more inclined to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.

Factors Affecting Green Entrepreneurship Intentions in Business University Students in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: Case of Ecuador

This research assesses the influence of education development support, conceptual development support, and country support through entrepreneurial self-efficacy over green entrepreneurial intentions. A total of 532 business students in Ecuador participated in an online survey. Eight questions were focused on demographic information, and twenty-seven questions evaluated the green entrepreneurship intentions of students. An SEM-PLS technical analysis was used. The results showed that educational support for developing entrepreneurship (0.296), conceptual support for developing entrepreneurship (0.123), and country support for entrepreneurship (0.188) had a positive influence on entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and that entrepreneurial self-efficacy had a positive influence (0.855) on gren entrepreneurial intentions. The model explained 73.1% of the green entrepreneurial intentions. Outcomes of the bootstrapping test were used to evaluate if the path coefficients are significant. This study showed the impacts of education development support, conceptual development support, and country support on the entrepreneur’s ability to carry out green entrepreneurship were positive. This information can help universities develop strategic plans to achieve ecological ventures and ensure students have the necessary skills to do so on campus. The research findings also may be helpful for the governments in establishing new norms to promote entrepreneurship. The novelty is based on using the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.

A Critical Exploration of Assumptions Underlying STEM Career Development

Significant resources have been invested by multiple entities and institutions into exposing more students and adults to science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. These efforts have coalesced into a major educational and career development movement within the past few decades. In this article, we present a critical analysis of the STEM movement that seeks to inform dialogue and debate regarding the nature and potential impacts of STEM career development. The article identifies the inherent assumptions about equity, self-determination, meaning, and purpose that underlie the STEM movement, while also acknowledging its many important positive contributions. The potential unintended consequences of STEM interventions and programs as well as the social messaging that accompanies these efforts are reviewed. Future directions for research, practice, and public policy that are informed by this critical analysis conclude this article.