Title : Threat appraisal and the formation of environmental entrepreneurial intentions: A dual-pathway model of eco-anxiety, climate hope, and efficacy beliefs
Abstract:
We developed and tested a dual-pathway model explaining how perceived climate threat shapes environmental entrepreneurial intentions among working-age adults in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (N = 400). Drawing on appraisal theory, Protection Motivation Theory, and self-efficacy theory, we examined whether perceived climate threat influences intentions through two opposing emotional pathways: eco-anxiety and climate hope. We also tested the moderating roles of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and collective climate efficacy, together with the effects of threat-only versus threat-plus-efficacy climate messaging. Partial least squares structural equation modelling showed that perceived climate threat significantly increased both eco-anxiety and climate hope. Eco-anxiety negatively predicted environmental entrepreneurial intentions, although this negative relationship was significantly weaker among individuals with higher entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Climate hope positively predicted intentions, while collective climate efficacy independently increased hope but did not significantly strengthen the relationship between climate threat and hope. Mediation analysis confirmed two significant, opposite-signed indirect effects: a negative pathway through eco-anxiety and a positive pathway through climate hope. Their opposing effects produced a non-significant total indirect effect, demonstrating the value of examining competing mechanisms. The randomized messageframing experiment further showed that threat-plus-efficacy messages increased hope and entrepreneurial intentions while reducing eco-anxiety. We discuss the theoretical implications of treating climate threat as dual-process appraisal and the practical importance of combining climate-risk communication with efficacy-building interventions in GCC entrepreneurship policy, education, and venture-support programs.
Keywords: Environmental entrepreneurial intentions; Eco-anxiety; Climate hope; Appraisal theory; entrepreneurial self-efficacy; Gulf Cooperation Council
