“Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process

İbrahim Fırat

doi:10.25229/beta.1872121

EN TR

“Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process

Abstract

This study examines the cognitive and psychological effects of digital transformation by analyzing the relationship between Industry 4.0 awareness and entrepreneurial intention, with life satisfaction as a mediator. Based on the view that digitalization represents not only a technical shift but also a socio-psychological process influencing life satisfaction and future-oriented behaviors, this study tests a model developed within an integrative theoretical framework. Data collected from university students in Türkiye were analyzed using SPSS 23 and AMOS 21. Scale validity and reliability were supported through confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling results indicated that Industry 4.0 awareness significantly increased life satisfaction (β=.201, p<.001), which in turn exerted a substantial effect on entrepreneurial intention (β=.280, p<.001). In addition, life satisfaction played a significant partial mediating role in the pathway linking Industry 4.0 awareness to entrepreneurial intention (β=.056). These findings indicate that awareness of digital technologies extends beyond cognitive perceptions and indirectly shapes entrepreneurial tendencies through individuals’ overall life satisfaction. By clarifying the interplay between technological awareness, well-being, and entrepreneurship, the study offers a new psychological perspective to the literature and highlights the need for integrated policies that simultaneously strengthen digital literacy and subjective well-being in higher education.

Keywords

Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0 Awareness, Entrepreneurial Intention, Life Satisfaction

“Makineleşen Dünyada İnsan Olmak”: Girişimcilik Sürecinde Dijital Dönüşüm ile Girişimcilik Niyeti Arasındaki İlişkide Yaşam Doyumunun Aracılık Rolü

Abstract

Bu araştırma, dijital dönüşümün bilişsel ve psikolojik etkilerini bütüncül biçimde ele alarak, Endüstri 4.0 farkındalığı ile girişimcilik niyeti arasındaki ilişkiyi ve yaşam doyumunun aracılık rolünü incelemektedir. Dijitalleşmenin yalnızca teknik bir dönüşüm değil, aynı zamanda bireylerin yaşam memnuniyetlerini ve geleceğe dair davranışsal eğilimlerini şekillendiren sosyo-psikolojik bir süreç olduğu kabulünden hareketle, çalışmada bu ilişkileri açıklamaya yönelik bütüncül bir kuramsal çerçeve temel alınarak bir model test edilmiştir. Türkiye’deki üniversite öğrencilerinden toplanan veriler SPSS 23 ve AMOS 21 programlarıyla analiz edilmiştir. Ölçeklerin geçerlik ve güvenirliği doğrulayıcı faktör analiziyle desteklenmiş; yapısal eşitlik modellemesi sonuçları, Endüstri 4.0 farkındalığının yaşam doyumunu anlamlı biçimde artırdığını (β=.201, p<.001), yaşam doyumunun girişimcilik niyeti üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve kayda değer bir yapısal etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermiştir (β=.280, p<.001). Ayrıca, yaşam doyumunun Endüstri 4.0 farkındalığından girişimcilik niyetine uzanan süreçte anlamlı bir kısmi aracı işlev gördüğünü ortaya koymuştur (β=.056). Bu bulgular, dijital teknolojilere ilişkin farkındalığın yalnızca bilişsel algılarla sınırlı kalmadığını; bireylerin genel yaşam memnuniyeti üzerinden girişimcilik eğilimlerini dolaylı biçimde şekillendirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, teknolojik farkındalık–iyi oluş–girişimcilik üçgenini açıklayarak literatüre yeni bir psikolojik perspektif sunmakta ve yükseköğretimde dijital okuryazarlık ile öznel iyi oluşu birlikte geliştirmeye yönelik bütünleşik politikalara ihtiyaç olduğunu vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Dijital Dönüşüm, Endüstri 4.0 Farkındalığı, Girişimcilik Niyeti, Yaşam Doyumu

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Business Administration, Business Systems in Context (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

İbrahim Fırat ^*
0000-0001-6102-7176
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

June 28, 2026

Publication Date

June 28, 2026

Submission Date

January 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25229/beta.1872121

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA49DS58WS

APA

Fırat, İ. (2026). “Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process. Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis, 11(2), 1375-1409. https://doi.org/10.25229/beta.1872121

AMA

1.Fırat İ. “Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process. Beta. 2026;11(2):1375-1409. doi:10.25229/beta.1872121

Chicago

Fırat, İbrahim. 2026. “‘Being Human in a Mechanized World’: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process”. Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis 11 (2): 1375-1409. https://doi.org/10.25229/beta.1872121.

EndNote

Fırat İ (June 1, 2026) “Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process. Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis 11 2 1375–1409.

IEEE

[1]İ. Fırat, “‘Being Human in a Mechanized World’: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process”, Beta, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1375–1409, June 2026, doi: 10.25229/beta.1872121.

ISNAD

Fırat, İbrahim. “‘Being Human in a Mechanized World’: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process”. Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 1375-1409. https://doi.org/10.25229/beta.1872121.

JAMA

1.Fırat İ. “Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process. Beta. 2026;11:1375–1409.

MLA

Fırat, İbrahim. “‘Being Human in a Mechanized World’: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process”. Bulletin of Economic Theory and Analysis, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 1375-09, doi:10.25229/beta.1872121.

Vancouver

1.İbrahim Fırat. “Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process. Beta. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):1375-409. doi:10.25229/beta.1872121

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“Being Human in a Mechanized World”: The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Intention in the Entrepreneurial Process

Abstract

Keywords

“Makineleşen Dünyada İnsan Olmak”: Girişimcilik Sürecinde Dijital Dönüşüm ile Girişimcilik Niyeti Arasındaki İlişkide Yaşam Doyumunun Aracılık Rolü

Abstract

Keywords

References

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Published in Issue

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IZ

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