Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM
This study explores the influence of team communication (TC) and shared mental models (SMMs) on entrepreneurial team efficacy (ETE) within the context of Chinese higher education, introducing a dual-path model to reconcile the discrepancy between policy expectations and practical outcomes in entrepr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/536 |
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| author | Shuangshuang Fan Shali Wang William Mbanyele Yongliang Zhang |
| author_facet | Shuangshuang Fan Shali Wang William Mbanyele Yongliang Zhang |
| author_sort | Shuangshuang Fan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the influence of team communication (TC) and shared mental models (SMMs) on entrepreneurial team efficacy (ETE) within the context of Chinese higher education, introducing a dual-path model to reconcile the discrepancy between policy expectations and practical outcomes in entrepreneurship education. Utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on data from 475 university-based questionnaires from March to May in 2024 in China, the research reveals that structured internal communication significantly enhances the alignment of learning goals, teammate cognition, and activity synchronization, thereby fostering SMMs as a pivotal psychological infrastructure. The findings indicate that shared learning goals and cognitive convergence are primary drivers of task performance, whereas coordinated activity states are more influential in strengthening relational cohesion. The study challenges the conventional “communication frequency–efficacy paradox” by demonstrating distinct pathways through which internal and external communication mechanisms differentiated impact task and relational outcomes. Additionally, demographic analyses highlight that team maturity and age diversity positively correlate with task efficacy, while gender and disciplinary heterogeneity show no significant association. Theoretically, this research advances the understanding of team collaboration dynamics and contextualizes Western entrepreneurship theories within China’s collectivist framework. Practically, it provides robust, evidence-based strategies for refining communication protocols and enhancing both collaborative efficiency and innovation in entrepreneurial education settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8e0a04dbbd994f4c98f07fc0232d8f16 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-8e0a04dbbd994f4c98f07fc0232d8f162025-08-20T02:47:13ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-07-0113753610.3390/systems13070536Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEMShuangshuang Fan0Shali Wang1William Mbanyele2Yongliang Zhang3School of Economics and Management, Wenzhou University of Technology, Wenzhou 325035, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Guizhou University of Engineering Science, Bijie 551700, ChinaCenter for Economic Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, ChinaSchool of Management, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100080, ChinaThis study explores the influence of team communication (TC) and shared mental models (SMMs) on entrepreneurial team efficacy (ETE) within the context of Chinese higher education, introducing a dual-path model to reconcile the discrepancy between policy expectations and practical outcomes in entrepreneurship education. Utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on data from 475 university-based questionnaires from March to May in 2024 in China, the research reveals that structured internal communication significantly enhances the alignment of learning goals, teammate cognition, and activity synchronization, thereby fostering SMMs as a pivotal psychological infrastructure. The findings indicate that shared learning goals and cognitive convergence are primary drivers of task performance, whereas coordinated activity states are more influential in strengthening relational cohesion. The study challenges the conventional “communication frequency–efficacy paradox” by demonstrating distinct pathways through which internal and external communication mechanisms differentiated impact task and relational outcomes. Additionally, demographic analyses highlight that team maturity and age diversity positively correlate with task efficacy, while gender and disciplinary heterogeneity show no significant association. Theoretically, this research advances the understanding of team collaboration dynamics and contextualizes Western entrepreneurship theories within China’s collectivist framework. Practically, it provides robust, evidence-based strategies for refining communication protocols and enhancing both collaborative efficiency and innovation in entrepreneurial education settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/536team communicationshared mental modelsentrepreneurial team efficacyChinese higher education |
| spellingShingle | Shuangshuang Fan Shali Wang William Mbanyele Yongliang Zhang Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM Systems team communication shared mental models entrepreneurial team efficacy Chinese higher education |
| title | Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM |
| title_full | Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM |
| title_fullStr | Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM |
| title_short | Dual-Path Model of Team Communication and Shared Mental Models in Entrepreneurial Education: Enhancing Team Efficacy in Higher Education Using PLS-SEM |
| title_sort | dual path model of team communication and shared mental models in entrepreneurial education enhancing team efficacy in higher education using pls sem |
| topic | team communication shared mental models entrepreneurial team efficacy Chinese higher education |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/536 |
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