Structural model and characteristics of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition abilities among university students in China: a grounded theory approach

The rapid development of mass entrepreneurship and innovation in China has substantially influenced the entrepreneurial environment, particularly among university students who are emerging as a vital entrepreneurial force. This study aimed to explore and identify the key characteristics and structural framework of entrepreneurial talents among university student entrepreneurs in China, specifically concerning their capacity to discover entrepreneurial opportunities. To achieve this, we conducted interviews with 21 exceptional university student entrepreneurs. A structural model was subsequently developed based on grounded theory, with data coded at three levels and tested for theoretical saturation. The results demonstrated that Chinese university students possess implicit and explicit capacities to detect business possibilities. Implicit abilities largely encompass the innate qualities of entrepreneurial drive and environmental intelligence, while explicit abilities comprise the acquired skills of learning, networking, and integration. This model can be used as a benchmark for assessing and enhancing the capacity of Chinese university students who are aspiring entrepreneurs to identify and exploit entrepreneurial opportunities.