THE POWER OF POSITIVE EMOTIONS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A STUDY ON MINDSET, INTENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES

Abstract

This study investigates how entrepreneurial emotions (EE), emotional competencies (EC), and positive emotions (PE) influence entrepreneurial behavior (EB), with attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) as a mediator. Grounded in Affect-as-Information Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the research employs a quantitative survey of 450 university students in Gujranwala, Pakistan. Results reveal that EE, EC, and PE significantly predict ATE (β = 0.21–0.33, *p* < 0.001), which in turn strongly influences EB (β = 0.39, *p* < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirms ATE’s pivotal role, with indirect effects of EE, EC, and PE on EB (β = 0.08–0.13, 95% CIs excluding zero). The model explains 47% of ATE variance and 53% of EB variance, highlighting the interplay of emotional and cognitive factors in driving entrepreneurial actions. The findings advance theoretical integration of affective and behavioral perspectives while offering practical insights for entrepreneurship education—emphasizing emotional skill development and positive affect cultivation. Limitations include cross-sectional data; future research should explore longitudinal and cross-cultural contexts.