The Relationship Between Entrepreneur Motivation And Entrepreneurial Success:the Mediating And Moderating Roles Of Entrepreneurial Intention And Innovation

Motivation is the desire or inclination to systematize,manipulate,and master an idea or enterprise as quickly and independently as possible.One of the key factors in entrepreneurial success is the entrepreneur’s motivation to start their own business.Entrepreneurial motivation is key driver of entrepreneurial success.A large number of studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial success.In order to confirm the strength of this relationship,this paper focuses on the mediating role of entrepreneurial intention and the moderating role of innovation to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial success.The expansion of the theoretical system of knowledge is used as a reference to help understand the motivational dimensions that affect entrepreneurial success,and to clarify when and why entrepreneurial intentions are more or less related to entrepreneurial success.Based on ongoing literature and research,this paper analyzes the relationship between variables of interest.A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.The questionnaire design was based on 5 point Likert scale.Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 1000 MSME operators in Ghana,and 858 MSMEs duly completed the questionnaire.In terms of specific quantitative analysis,the researcher mainly completed preliminary analysis such as descriptive statistics,correlation analysis,tool validity and reliability,multicollinearity test and model fit,to provide the preliminary rationality and appropriateness of the tool and the selected method to test the proposed relationship guiding the study.The model was analyzed by SEM and hierarchical linear regression with SPSS(v.23)and Amos(v.23)software.Structural equation modelling(SEM)was used to measure the indirect effects of entrepreneurial motivation(greater business achievement,independence,intrinsic factors,and job security)on entrepreneurial success and the mediating role of entrepreneurial intentions(attitude towards behaviour,subjective norms,and perceived behavioral control)about the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial success.Hierarchical linear regression was used to analyze the moderating effect of innovation on the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial success.Findings show that: Entrepreneurial motivation generally positively drives entrepreneurial success;all the four(4)dimensions of entrepreneurial motivation(GBA,IND,IF,and JS)had a positive impact on entrepreneurial success.Greater Business Achievement(GBA)had the greatest impact on entrepreneurial success.Entrepreneurial motivation(GBA,IND,IF,and JS)has a positive impact on entrepreneurial intentions(ATB,SN,and PBC).Entrepreneurial intentions(ATB,SN,and PBC)had a significant positive impact on the entrepreneurial success of Ghanaian MSME managers with attitude towards behaviour(ADB)having the strongest impact on entrepreneurial success.However,the relationship between mediating variables and moderating variables is limited.The analysis of mediating variables showed that entrepreneurial intention(ATB,SN and PBC)played a mediating role between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial success with ATB having the strongest mediating effect.The empirical results of hierarchical linear regression show that innovation has a significant moderating effect on the three dimensions of entrepreneurial intention(ATB,SN and PBC),thereby strengthening the positive correlation between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial success of MSME operators in Ghana.Moreover,ATB had the strongest moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial success.Development recommendations: The study recommends that the Government of Ghana inject resources through the allocation of budgetary expenditure to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and development.In short,the government needs to pay close attention to the creation,growth and success of MSMEs in Ghana.The Government needs to implement broad policies and programmes,such as providing accessible capital or financing the expansion of MSMEs through effective monitoring,forming clusters and supporting institutions to provide timely and necessary assistance to Ghanaian entrepreneurs.A well-thought-out arrangement or partnership with government agencies for industrial parks,business incubators,tax holidays,subsidies,improved infrastructure,etc.is the surest way to build entrepreneurship in Ghana.There are two innovations in this paper: First,using entrepreneurial intention as a mediating variable to understand the mechanism by which entrepreneurial motivation affects entrepreneurship in Ghana and Africa is an innovative contribution.This gave researchers insight into the role of entrepreneurial intent in explaining the relationship between motivation and entrepreneurial success in African context.Second,it highlights the moderating role of innovation in achieving high levels of entrepreneurial intent and entrepreneurial success in the Ghanaian MSME sector,enhancing the understanding of when entrepreneurial intent is more(or less)closely related to entrepreneurial success.