A Study on the Antecedents of Individual Entrepreneurship Orientation of Female Students: An Examination Using Structural Equation Modeling

This study examines the relationship between antecedents of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation (IEO) in female students. The study uses locus of control, Machiavellianism, resilience, and mindfulness as independent variables. Data for the study was collected using standardized self-rating questionnaires on 854 female students as a unit of analysis. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (EFA and CFA) have been used to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement. Consequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted using Python after validating the measurement model. The final model describes the relationship of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation with the internal dimension of locus of control together with Machiavellianism, resilience, and mindfulness. All mentioned constructs had a significant positive influence on the dependent variable. Simultaneously, mindfulness was found to have a positive effect on resilience and internal locus of control on Machiavellianism. This study has expanded the dynamic research boundary and resonates with the recent developments in IEO conceptualizations. Moreover, this work is one of the few studies conducted exclusively among female students.