Ambidextrous Leadership among Student Entrepreneurs: Navigating Entrepreneurial and Academic Demands

Maulana Amirul Adha, Marsofiyati, Nova Syafira Ariyanti, Ria Rahma Nida, Rudy Ansar and Maisyaroh
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Maulana Amirul Adha: Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Marsofiyati: Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Nova Syafira Ariyanti: Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
Ria Rahma Nida: Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Rudy Ansar: Faculty of Business Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Maisyaroh: Faculty of Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia

European Journal of Social Science Education and Research, 2026, vol. 13, issue 2, 629-651

Abstract: This study investigates how student entrepreneurs in Indonesian higher education navigate entrepreneurial and academic responsibilities through the perspective of ambidextrous leadership. The study employed a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach involving 15 student entrepreneurs, four entrepreneurship lecturers, and three business partners selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that student entrepreneurs experienced tensions related to innovation and operational stability, uncertainty and competing demands, as well as emotional and psychological pressures resulting from the simultaneous management of academic and business obligations. To respond to these challenges, participants adopted ambidextrous leadership behaviours by balancing flexibility and control while developing adaptive decision-making strategies. The study further found that entrepreneurial experiences contributed not only to business-related competencies but also to the development of entrepreneurial resilience, leadership confidence, emotional maturity, and strategic adaptability. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of experiential learning, adaptive leadership, and supportive higher education environments in helping student entrepreneurs navigate increasingly complex academic, entrepreneurial, and socio-economic challenges.

Keywords: Ambidextrous leadership; Student entrepreneurs; Psychological resilience; Entrepreneurial tensions; Gig economy; Higher education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eur:ejserj:464

DOI: 10.26417/5mn6d816

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