The Interactive Effects of Grit and Resilience on Perceived Behavioural Control, Entrepreneurial Alertness, Opportunity Recognition and Intentions

Abstract

Although entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming important for the economic integration of refugees, personal and situational conditions make it a challenging vocational choice. Given that grit and resilience are associated with persistence, this article assesses whether the combination of the two attributes predicts higher perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial process variables among refugees in resource-constrained settlements. A moderated mediation analysis conducted using PROCESS macro showed that the effects of grit on entrepreneurial alertness, opportunity recognition, entrepreneurial intentions and implementation intention were mediated by perceived behavioural control. Significant interactive effects of grit and resilience were observed for perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial alertness, and opportunity recognition. The study provides insights into how positive personal attributes are associated with entrepreneurial process variables in the population of refugees.