How can urban middle-aged participants increase their agricultural entrepreneurship volition during COVID-19? Evidence from South Korea

Purpose: This study explores how urban middle-aged education program participants can increase their agricultural entrepreneurship volition (AEV) during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Design: We examined the direct and indirect effects of formal learning experiences (FLE) and informal learning experiences (ILE) on AEV. Multiple regression, mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation methods using Process Macro were conducted with 411 samples. Findings: ILE and outcome expectancy had direct positive effects on volition, while FLE and social networking did not. Both learning experiences had indirect effects on AEV through social networking and outcome expectancy. The group who spent above 100 hours in formal learning had a moderating effect on the relationship between FLE and outcome variables compared to those who spent less than 50 hours. Practical implications: Considering the limited middle-aged adults’ digital accessibility, developing user-friendly distance education guidelines, supporting social networking and ILE, and tailoring programs to individual expectations are required to encourage agricultural entrepreneurship. Theoretical implications: Combining career transition perspective and migration perspective, this article contributes to a theoretical framework explaining urban middle-aged adults’ agricultural entrepreneurship. Originality/value: This paper approaches middle-aged adults’ agricultural entrepreneurship as a career transition event for their old stage of life and quantifies determinants of AEV during COVID-19.