Empowering Maritime Generation Z Students to Develop a Digital Entrepreneurial Mindset through Self-Efficacy & Cognitive Flexibility
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51278/bpr.v5i3.1840Keywords:
Gen-Z, Digital Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Self-Efficacy, Cognitive FlexibilityAbstract
This study examines an empowerment program designed to develop a digital entrepreneurial mindset among Generation Z maritime students by strengthening self-efficacy and cognitive flexibility. Responding to the accelerating digitalization of the maritime sector, the program aimed to shift student perspectives from traditional seafaring roles toward innovation-driven, technology-based entrepreneurship. Adopting a Participatory Action Research (PAR) model, the intervention involved 118 second-semester students at Politeknik Pelayaran Sumatera Barat and comprised stages of preliminary assessment, socialization and motivational seminars, two-day training workshops using Creative Problem Solving and Design Thinking, digital business idea simulations, mentoring, and reflective evaluation. Data collection included pre–post surveys, direct observation, written student reflections, facilitator notes, and triangulation across sources; qualitative descriptive analysis identified thematic changes in self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and entrepreneurial orientation. Post-intervention findings show notable increases in students’ confidence to express ideas, make decisions, and assume leadership roles, alongside enhanced cognitive flexibility manifested in multi-perspective problem solving and creative solution generation. Participants produced viable digital maritime business concepts (e.g., vessel-tracking applications, online seafarer training platforms, and logistics services), and demonstrated improved communication, teamwork, and pitching skills. The study recommends curriculum integration, establishment of a campus digital maritime incubator, stakeholder engagement for industry linkage, and longitudinal evaluation to sustain and scale outcomes. Overall, the intervention advances a replicable model for preparing adaptive, innovative maritime graduates capable of contributing to Indonesia’s digital maritime economy.
References
Abduh, M., Hasnur, J., & Siska, S. Y. (2022). The effect of maritime English vocabulary for beginners module on the vocabulary learning outcomes. Jurnal Pendidikan Vokasi, 12(2), 117–129. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpv.v12i2.49033
Adeel, S., Daniel, A. D., & Botelho, A. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurship education on the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour among higher education students: A multi- group analysis. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(1), 100324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100324
Ayeh, J. K., Bondzi-simpson, A., & Baah, N. G. (2023). Predicting Students ’ Response to Entrepreneurship in Hospitality and Tourism Education : An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 35(3), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2022.2056469
Bačnar, D., Barić, D., & Ogrizović, D. (2025). Charting the Future of Maritime Education and Training: A Technology-Acceptance-Model-Based Pilot Study on Students’ Behavioural Intention to Use a Fully Immersive VR Engine Room Simulator. Applied System Innovation, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/asi8030084
Bhati, M., Goerlandt, F., & Pelot, R. (2025). Digital twin development towards integration into blue economy: A bibliometric analysis. Ocean Engineering, 317(December 2024), 119781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.119781
Bissias, I. G., Pallis, A. A., & Theotokas, I. N. (2025). Gen Zers and the seafaring profession: A generational approach to enrolment in merchant marine academies. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, January. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-024-00355-4
Bröer, C., Veltkamp, G., Ayuandini, S., Baillergeau, E., Moerman, G., Sauvage, R. De, Banik, A., Luszczynska, A., Rito, A., Mendes, S., Klepp, K., Helleve, A., Nesrallah, S., Lien, N., & Grewal, N. K. (2023). Negotiating policy ideas : Participatory action research projects across five European countries. Ethics, Medicine and Public Health, 28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2023.100905
Choi, H., Kim, H., & Kim, N. (2024). Enhancing creativity through a problem-based design thinking project in higher education. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2378272
Duong, C. D., Nga Ngo, T. V., Thu Nguyen, T. P., Tran, N. M., & Pham, H. T. (2024). Digital entrepreneurial education and digital entrepreneurial intention: A moderated mediation model. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 10(August), 101178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101178
Farrokhnia, M., Baggen, Y., Biemans, H., & Noroozi, O. (2022). Bridging the fields of entrepreneurship and education : The role of philosophical perspectives in fostering opportunity identification. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100632
Feekery, A. (2024). The 7 C ’ s framework for participatory action research : inducting novice participant- researchers inducting novice participant-researchers. Educational Action Research, 32(3), 332–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2023.2234417
Findyartini, A., Syah, N. A., Susilo, A. P., Qomariyah, N., Greviana, N., Ainin, D. Q., Sari, M., & Claramita, M. (2023). Challenges and opportunities in cultivating medical students ’ competencies : Participatory action research from a hierarchical cultural setting. Medical Education Online, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2023.2185122
Fogg, C., Lanning, E., Shoebridge, J., Longstaff, J., Vos, R. De, Dawson-taylor, K., Glanville-hearson, A., Carpenter, D., Court, S., Brown, T., Heiden, E., & Chauhan, A. (2022). The role of Participatory Action Research in developing new models of healthcare : Perspectives from participants and recommendations for ethical review and governance oversight. Ethics, Medicine and Public Health, 24, 100833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2022.100833
Geaquinto, R., & Alves, H. (2024). Entrepreneurship education for non-business students : A social learning perspective. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(2), 100974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.100974
Gill, S. A., Bencheva, N., Karayel, S., & Usman, M. (2021). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderate effects of cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial alertness on entrepreneurial intentions? Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(3), 25–41. https://doi.org/10.15678/EBER.2021.090302
Håkon, D., Aaboen, L., & Williams, K. (2022). Teaching and facilitating action-based entrepreneurship education : Addressing challenges towards a research agenda. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(3), 100711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100711
Hartmann, A., Kruijf, J. V., & Weesep, R. Van. (2023). Asking the right questions : The role of reflection for learning in and between projects. International Journal of Project Management, 41(5), 102494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2023.102494
Hasan, M., Tiara Hutamy, E., Supatminingsih, T., Ahmad, M. I. S., Aeni, N., & Dzhelilov, A. A. (2024). The role of entrepreneurship education in the entrepreneurial readiness of generation Z students: why do digital business literacy and financial literacy matter? Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2371178
Herpen, S. G. A. Van, Hilverda, F., & Vollmann, M. (2024). A longitudinal study on the impact of student- teacher and student-peer relationships on academic performance : the mediating effects of study effort and engagement. European Journal of Higher Education, 8235, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2024.2414760
Honra, J. R., & Monterola, S. L. C. (2024). Fostering cognitive flexibility of students through design thinking in biology education. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2415301
Jensen, I. B., Dikilitas, K., & Jensen, I. B. (2025). A scoping review of action research in higher education : implications for research-based teaching implications for research-based teaching. Teaching in Higher Education, 2517, 84–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2023.2222066
Kısaçtutan, E. D. (2024). Digital natives of the labor market : Generation Z as future leaders and their perspectives on leadership. May, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1378982
Kurniawan, M., Hasnur, J., & Siska, S. Y. (2025). Character Building in University Students: Comprehension of Islamic Value & Discipline. Edureligia : Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 09(01), 48–67.
Mashartanto, A. A., Pranata, W., & Siska, S. Y. (2024). Development of Learning Media Maritime English Textbook for Ratings Forming. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(3), 1238. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i3.11337
Mini, R., Salim, A., Refolia, M., Aisyah, N., David, D., & Situmorang, B. (2023). The role of career decision self-efficacy as a mediator of peer support on students ’ career adaptability. Heliyon, 9(4), e14911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14911
Mozahem, N. A., & Adlouni, R. O. (2021). Using Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy as an Indirect Measure of Entrepreneurial Education. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 100385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2020.100385
Nazarwin, Putra, R. W., Hermanto, B., & Siska, S. Y. (2025). Strategies for Enhancing Job Satisfaction : The Influence of Rewards , Work-Life Balance & Coworker Support. International Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship, Social Science and Humanities And, 9(1), 104–123.
Olmos-vega, F. M., Stalmeijer, R. E., Varpio, L., & Kahlke, R. (2023). A practical guide to reflexivity in qualitative research : AMEE Guide No . 149. Medical Teacher, 45(3), 241–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2022.2057287
Rosado-Cuberoa, A., Hernandezb, A., Blanco-Jimenezc, F. J., & Freire-Rubio, T. (2024). Seeding young entrepreneurs : The role of business incubators. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100579
Saptono, A., Wibowo, A., Widyastuti, U., Shandy, B., & Yanto, H. (2021). Entrepreneurial self-ef fi cacy among elementary students : the role of entrepreneurship education. Heliyon, 7(9), e07995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07995
Sharma, A., & Nazir, S. (2021). Assessing the technology self-efficacy of maritime instructors: An explorative study. Education Sciences, 11(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11070342
Surucu-Balci, E., Iris, Ç., & Balci, G. (2024). Digital information in maritime supply chains with blockchain and cloud platforms: Supply chain capabilities, barriers, and research opportunities. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 198(October 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122978
Syed, R. T., Alzahmi, R. A., & Tariq, U. (2024). Digital entrepreneurship education in universities through the lens of educators : evidence from the United Arab Emirates. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2409472
Timmis, S., Mgqwashu, E., Trahar, S., Naidoo, K., & Muhuro, P. (2024). Students as co-researchers : participatory methods for decolonising research in teaching and learning in higher education education. Teaching in Higher Education, 29(7), 1793–1812. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2024.2359738
Tsai, C., Song, M. W., Lo, Y., & Lo, C. (2023). Design thinking with constructivist learning increases the learning motivation and wicked problem-solving capability — An empirical research in Taiwan. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 50(August 2022), 101385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101385
Ulfert-blank, A., & Schmidt, I. (2022). Assessing digital self-efficacy : Review and scale development. Computers & Education, 191(March), 104626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104626
Wibowo, A., Shandy, B., Dianta, K., Sebayang, A., Mukhtar, S., Hakimi, M., & Shafiai, M. (2023). How does digital entrepreneurship education promote entrepreneurial intention ? The role of social media and entrepreneurial intuition. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100681
Yu, X., Zhao, X., & Hou, Y. (2023). Cognitive flexibility and entrepreneurial creativity: the chain mediating effect of entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(November), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1292797
Zarestky, J., Bigler, M., Brazile, M., Lopes, T., & Bangerth, W. (2022). Reflective Writing Supports Metacognition and Self-regulation in Graduate Computational Science and Engineering. Computers and Education Open, 3(June 2021), 100085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100085
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Riki Wanda Putra, Bambang Hermanto, Elfira Wirza, Nazarwin, Hasri Devin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
