Study goals
The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the need for security on the entrepreneurial intention among university students, mediated by entrepreneurial motivation and regulatory focus.
Relevance / originality
Higgins and Pinelli (2020) indicate that the regulatory focus theory has been little used in entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the context of crisis can be a factor that influences the entrepreneurial motivation, being an extrinsic motivation driven by the need for security.
Methodology / approach
Empirically, a survey-type research was carried out with cross-sectional collection of a sample consisting of 217 university students. Data analysis of direct relationships and mediation was conducted using analysis of variance and linear regression tests.
Main results
We identified that the need for security influences entrepreneurial motivation. The regulatory focus mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and intention. Students with a promotional regulatory focus were more willing to undertake than those with a preventive regulatory focus.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
There are no records in the literature of the need for safety as a trigger for the entrepreneurial motivation. Studies that have used the regulatory focus as a mechanism to explain the entrepreneurial intention were also not found.
Social / management contributions
Based on the results, it is possible to state that entrepreneurial education should address different languages to encourage future entrepreneurs. Explanation based on gain is commonly applied in classrooms, but no-loss language should also be adopted.