The Role of Creativity as a Mediating Mechanism Between Entrepreneurship Education and Innovation Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61100/adman.v4i2.361Keywords:
Entrepreneurship Education, Creativity, Innovation Performance, Experiential Learning, InnovationAbstract
This study aims to analyze the role of creativity as a mediating mechanism between entrepreneurship education and innovation performance through a literature review approach. The study is motivated by the increasing attention given to entrepreneurship education as a means of developing human resources capable of generating innovation in the era of the knowledge-based economy and digital transformation. The research employed a qualitative approach using a literature review design and descriptive analysis. Data were collected from Google Scholar and several reputable scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Emerald Insight, Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis, Frontiers, MDPI, and ResearchGate. The literature search covered articles published between 1964 and 2026. The initial search identified 50 articles, and after a rigorous screening process based on topic relevance, publication quality, methodological suitability, and full-text availability, 31 articles were selected for analysis. The findings indicate that entrepreneurship education contributes to enhancing creativity through experiential learning, entrepreneurial mindset development, and problem-solving exploration. Creativity subsequently functions as a mechanism that transforms entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into innovation in the form of new products, services, processes, and business models. The synthesis of various theories, including Human Capital Theory, Componential Theory of Creativity, Knowledge-Based View, Experiential Learning Theory, and Innovation Diffusion Theory, strengthens the argument that creativity serves as a mediating factor explaining the relationship between entrepreneurship education and innovation performance. Empirical studies and case studies further demonstrate that learning environments promoting creativity, collaboration, and practical experience are more likely to produce sustainable innovation. This study provides a conceptual contribution to the entrepreneurship literature and offers recommendations for higher education institutions and policymakers to strengthen entrepreneurship curricula that emphasize creativity development to improve innovation performance.
References
H. M. Neck and P. G. Greene, “Entrepreneurship Education: Known Worlds and New Frontiers,” Journal of Small Business Management, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 55–70, Jan. 2011, doi: 10.1111/j.1540-627X.2010.00314.x.
T. J. Bae, S. Qian, C. Miao, and J. O. Fiet, “The Relationship between Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Meta–Analytic Review,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 217–254, Mar. 2014, doi: 10.1111/etap.12095.
C. Wang, N. Mundorf, and A. Salzarulo-McGuigan, “Entrepreneurship education enhances entrepreneurial creativity: The mediating role of entrepreneurial inspiration,” The International Journal of Management Education, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 100570, Jul. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100570.
W. Jiatong, M. Murad, F. Bajun, M. S. Tufail, F. Mirza, and M. Rafiq, “Impact of Entrepreneurial Education, Mindset, and Creativity on Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy,” Front. Psychol., vol. 12, pp. 1–13, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724440.
N. Anderson, K. Potočnik, and J. Zhou, “Innovation and Creativity in Organizations,” J. Manage., vol. 40, no. 5, pp. 1297–1333, Jul. 2014, doi: 10.1177/0149206314527128.
H. Wang, R. Jiao, and F. Li, “Research on the Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Employee Creativity from the Perspective of Career Environment Based on an Intermediary Model,” J. Environ. Public Health, vol. 2022, no. 1, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1155/2022/1677620.
R. de Barros, L. M. Resende, and J. Pontes, “Exploring creativity and innovation in organizational contexts: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis of key models and emerging opportunities,” Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 100526, Jun. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100526.
Ahmad Saoki Andriyana, Dedi Purwana, and Suparno, “The Effect of Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Mindset on Students’ Ability to Innovate with Creativity as a Mediation Variable in the Entrepreneurial Independence Program of Jakarta State University,” Journal of Digital Business and Global Economy, vol. 1, no. 3, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.64243/JODIGBI.01.3.05.
B. Nijstad, G. Calic, P. de Faria, C. Grimpe, and O.-P. Kauppila, “Connecting creativity and innovation research: Building bridges to cross divides,” Res. Policy, vol. 55, no. 2, p. 105391, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105391.
S. Suparno, H. Nur Wafa, A. Lutfia, B. S. Narmaditya, M. A. Adha, and M. H. Mohd Shafiai, “Does entrepreneurship education matter for product innovations? The mediating role of Indonesian students creativity,” Cogent Education, vol. 11, no. 1, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2359880.
G. S. Becker, Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. New York: National Bureau of Economic Results, 1964.
T. M. Amabile and M. G. Pratt, “The dynamic componential model of creativity and innovation in organizations: Making progress, making meaning,” Res. Organ. Behav., vol. 36, pp. 157–183, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.riob.2016.10.001.
S. Kaplan, A. Schenkel, G. von Krogh, and C. Weber, “Knowledge-based theories of the firm in strategic management: a review and extension,” International Journal of Project Management, vol. 25, no. 617, pp. 143–158, 2001.
D. A. Kolb, Experiential Learning: Experience As The Source Of Learning And Development, 1st ed., vol. 1. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1984.
E. M. Rogers, A. Singhal, and M. M. Quinlan, “Diffusion of Innovations 1,” in An Integrated Approach to Communication Theory and Research, Routledge, 2019, pp. 415–434. doi: 10.4324/9780203710753-35.
K. Anubhav, A. K. Dwivedi, and K. Aashish, “Entrepreneurship education in higher education (2002–2022): A technology-empowered systematic literature review,” The International Journal of Management Education, vol. 22, no. 3, p. 100993, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ijme.2024.100993.
M. Hasan, E. Tiara Hutamy, T. Supatminingsih, M. I. S. Ahmad, N. Aeni, and A. A. Dzhelilov, “The role of entrepreneurship education in the entrepreneurial readiness of generation Z students: why do digital business literacy and financial literacy matter?,” Cogent Education, vol. 11, no. 1, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2371178.
Fitra Mulya, Yunia Wardi, Hendrik Heri Sandi, and Susi Evanita, “Entrepreneurial Human Capital and Innovation Performance: A Systematic Literature Review on the Role of Creativity,” Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan dan Ilmu Sosial, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 2922–2936, 2026.
E. Ohene Afriyie et al., “Does the entrepreneurship learning approach influence self-efficacy? The role of students’ entrepreneurial competence and satisfaction,” J. Innov. Entrep., vol. 14, no. 1, p. 112, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.1186/s13731-025-00507-7.
M. Madanchian and H. Taherdoost, “Innovation Leadership,” in Tech-Driven Leadership, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2025, pp. 153–173. doi: 10.1108/978-1-83708-046-520251008.
National University of Singapore, “Annual report 2024: Students and leaders.,” National University of Singapore Faculty of Science. Accessed: Jul. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/annual-report-2024/students-and-leaders/
N. Mirza, A. Horobet, I. Kostakis, and C.-A. Botoroga, “Innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial venture capital: evidence from European countries,” International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, vol. 22, no. 2, p. 63, Jun. 2026, doi: 10.1007/s11365-026-01188-8.
M. Zamiri and A. Esmaeili, “Strategies, Methods, and Supports for Developing Skills within Learning Communities: A Systematic Review of the Literature,” Adm. Sci., vol. 14, no. 9, p. 231, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.3390/admsci14090231.
Stanford University, “Alumni survey measures Stanford’s economic impact. Stanford Engineering.,” Stanford Engineering. Accessed: Jul. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://engineering.stanford.edu/news/alumni-survey-measures-stanfords-economic-impact
G. Nabi, F. Liñán, A. Fayolle, N. Krueger, and A. Walmsley, “The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda,” Academy of Management Learning & Education, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 277–299, Jun. 2017, doi: 10.5465/amle.2015.0026.
Direktorat Pembelajaran dan Kemahasiswaan, “Portal Program Pembinaan Mahasiswa Wirausaha,” kemdiktisaintek. Accessed: Jul. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://p2mw.kemdiktisaintek.go.id/
M. Guerrero, D. Urbano, J. A. Cunningham, and E. Gajón, “Determinants of Graduates’ Start-Ups Creation across a Multi-Campus Entrepreneurial University: The Case of Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education,” Journal of Small Business Management, vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 150–178, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1111/jsbm.12366.
PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk, “Annual Report 2024. GoTo Investor Relations – Annual Report 2024,” gotocompany. Accessed: Jul. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.gotocompany.com/en/investor-relations/announcement
PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk, “GoTo Group beats guidance with record results as it reports 2024 fourth quarter and full year earnings,” Official GoTo Press Release. Accessed: Jul. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.gotocompany.com/en/news/press/goto-group-beats-guidance-with-record-results-as-it-reports-2024-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-earnings
D. Teece and G. Pisano, “The Dynamic Capabilities of Firms: an Introduction,” Industrial and Corporate Change, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 537–556, 1994, doi: 10.1093/icc/3.3.537-a.
I. R. Nabila and R. Sulistyowati, “The Influence of Entrepreneurial Education on Digital Entrepreneurial Intention through Creativity and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy among Generation Z Students in Surabaya,” Journal of Multidisciplinary Science: MIKAILALSYS, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 3759–3782, Jul. 2026, doi: 10.58578/mikailalsys.v4i2.11300.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Contemporary Administration and Management (ADMAN)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
