The multi-mediating effects of intrinsic motivation on innovation capability in university students: Evidence in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving educational landscape, fostering innovation capability is crucial for students' academic and professional success. For students - the young and dynamic workforce - innovation capability is not only a soft skill but also a requirement to satisfy the demands of the modern labor market. Innovation generally refers to conducting research, value propositions, generating inventions, measurements, and strategies linked to practical applications. Despite extensive research on innovation capability, the underlying psychological mechanisms, particularly intrinsic motivation, remain underexplored. Therefore, this study will have a deep insight into the multi-mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationship among various influencing factors and innovation capability among university students in HCMC. This research method used to test the model and research hypotheses mainly uses quantitative research, conducted by an online survey with 460 university students in HCMC by using SmartPLS software to test the proposed research hypotheses. The finding has revealed that intrinsic motivation is considered to be a significant multi-mediating role, enhancing the positive effects of other factors on innovation capability. Specifically, students with higher levels of intrinsic motivation exhibit greater creativity and problem-solving skills, leading to improved innovation outcomes. These results underscore the importance of fostering an engaging and supportive educational environment that nurtures students’ internal drive to innovate. The results of this study have both theoretical and practical significance in the context that innovation capability is gradually being encouraged and promoted in the Vietnamese labor market, while little research emphasizing the mediating role of intrinsic motivation has been conducted in Vietnam. Furthermore, the results of testing in this study and the hypotheses in the research model are similar to previous research. In addition, the findings of this study enrich the meaning of intrinsic motivation by offering a comprehensive insight into the interplay between intrinsic motivation and innovation capability in higher education. The findings provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers in designing strategies to cultivate innovation-driven learning environments, ultimately preparing students for the challenges of the modern workforce