The In(congruent) Effects of AI Ambidexterity in Digital Entrepreneurship: Insights from the Entrepreneurial Event Model
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Cong Doanh Duong
Abstract
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence into entrepreneurial activities has transformed how individuals engage with digital innovation. This study examines the correlation between the congruence and incongruence of innovative and routine use of generative artificial intelligence (ambidexterity) and digital entrepreneurial intention. Drawing on the entrepreneurial event model, polynomial regression, and response surface analysis, the study examines the congruence and incongruence between routine and innovative uses of generative artificial intelligence, capturing their complex interactions and joint effects. Data collected from 1,061 undergraduate students at Vietnamese universities revealed significant congruence effects, showing that alignment between high levels of routine and innovative uses enhances students’ digital entrepreneurial intention, perceived desirability, and feasibility. Furthermore, the incongruence between these uses has a negative relationship with entrepreneurial outcomes. The study also confirms that perceived desirability and feasibility mediate the relationships between generative artificial intelligence use (routine and innovative) and digital entrepreneurial intention. These findings extend current understandings of how digital tools support entrepreneurship education, highlighting the importance of balancing exploitation (routine use) and exploration (innovative use). Practically, the results suggest that educators and policymakers should encourage students to simultaneously develop both routine and innovative competencies in generative artificial intelligence to nurture digital entrepreneurial aspirations effectively.
| Constructs/Scales | Codes | Measures | Sources | Loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routine use of GenAI | RU1 | My use of GenAI has been incorporated into my regular entrepreneurial learning and practices | Li et al. (2013) | 0.754 |
| RU2 | My use of GenAI is pretty much integrated as part of my normal entrepreneurial learning routine. | 0.792 | ||
| RU3 | My use of GenAI is now a standard part of my activities of entrepreneurial learning and practices | 0.742 | ||
| Innovative use of GenAI | IU1 | I often use more features of GenAI than the average user in my industry to support my entrepreneurial endeavors | Li et al. (2013) | 0.728 |
| IU2 | I often explore more unconventional capabilities of GenAI in my entrepreneurial learning and work | 0.769 | ||
| IU3 | I try to use GenAI in novel and creative ways to enhance my entrepreneurial activities | 0.699 | ||
| IU4 | I often look for new functionalities in GenAI tools to support and grow my entrepreneurial efforts | 0.722 | ||
| Perceived digital entrepreneurial desirability | PD1 | I enjoy the idea of starting and running a digital business | Krueger (1993) | 0.741 |
| PD2 | I do not feel anxious when I think about starting a digital business | – | ||
| PD3 | I feel enthusiastic about starting a digital business | 0.760 | ||
| Perceived digital entrepreneurial feasibility | PF1 | Starting a digital business could be easy | Krueger (1993) | 0.766 |
| PF2 | I am confident in my ability to start and run a digital business successfully | 0.799 | ||
| PF3 | Starting a digital business may not require a significant amount of additional work | 0.674 | ||
| PF4 | I have sufficient knowledge and skills to start a digital business | 0.804 | ||
| PF5 | I am very confident in starting and running a digital business | 0.802 | ||
| Digital entrepreneurial intention | DEI1 | I am ready to do anything to be an entrepreneur in the digital field | Liñán and Chen (2009) | 0.648 |
| DEI2 | My professional goal is to become an entrepreneur in the digital field | 0.750 | ||
| DEI3 | I will make every effort to start and run my own digital firm | 0.672 | ||
| DEI4 | I am determined to create a digital firm in the future | 0.763 | ||
| DEI5 | I have no intention of establishing my own digital firm R | – | ||
| DEI6 | I have very seriously thought of starting a digital firm | 0.676 | ||
| DEI7 | I have the firm intention to start a digital firm someday | 0.714 |
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N = 1,061. R Reversed question.
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