The relationship between entrepreneurial calling and innovation behaviors: a moderated mediation model

Purpose In the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape of the contemporary era, innovation constitutes the principal catalyst for corporate success and societal advancement, while simultaneously emerging as a strategic imperative for startups navigating market uncertainties and pursuing sustainable scaling. Anchored in goal-setting theory, this research systematically examines the mechanisms through which entrepreneurial calling influences innovation behaviors, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of entrepreneurial commitment and the boundary conditions imposed by industry uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach This investigation employs empirical analysis using primary data manually collected from 175 Chinese technology-based innovative enterprises through structured offline surveys. The methodological framework incorporates hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping techniques to validate the proposed conceptual model. Findings The results show that: (1) Entrepreneurial calling exerts a significant positive impact on innovation behaviors, (2) Entrepreneurial commitment partially mediates this relationship. (3) Industry uncertainty positively moderates the calling-innovation relationship, with moderation effects being particularly pronounced during periods of heightened market turbulence and regulatory instability. Originality/value This study pioneers the integration of entrepreneurial calling into innovation research within China’s unique context, addressing a critical gap in cross-cultural entrepreneurship research. This study expands the theoretical perspective of goal-setting theory, while offering practical strategies for entrepreneurs to cultivate mission-driven cultures and for policymakers to design adaptive innovation incentives.