Does green imprinting affect green entrepreneurial behaviors? The application of imprinting theory and stimulus‐organism‐response theory

Abstract Green entrepreneurship has become pivotal for mitigating resource wastage and safeguarding the ecological environment within the framework of green economic development. Scholars have paid scant attention to investigating the transformation and advancement of green imprinting in shaping individual green entrepreneurial behaviors. In this study, we address this gap by integrating imprinting theory and the stimulus‐organism‐response (SOR) theory, constructing a comprehensive mediating moderation model encompassing green imprinting, green entrepreneurial intentions, green entrepreneurial behaviors, and green self‐efficacy. Through an empirical examination of 331 valid questionnaire responses, we identify two distinct dimensions of green imprinting. Both positive and negative green imprinting exert a notable influence on green entrepreneurial behaviors, with green entrepreneurial intentions serving as a mediating factor between green imprinting and actual entrepreneurial behaviors. Our research carries substantial theoretical and practical implications, enriching our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying green imprinting and providing guidance for entrepreneurs engaged in green business ventures.