Integration of Indigenous Business Culture in Education: A Mediated Model of Cognitive Enhancement

This study evaluates the integration of the Jin Merchant Spirit into emerging liberal arts education in Chinese universities and examines its educational outcomes and mechanisms. Using purposive quota sampling, 500 valid questionnaires were collected from five universities. Structural equation modeling tested a mediation model linking the Degree of Integration of Jin Merchant Spirit (DIS), Level of Cognitive Enhancement (LCE), and Cultivation of Core Competences (CCC). Results indicate that integration remains at an early stage but shows strong developmental potential. DIS positively predicts LCE ( β  = 0.473, p  < 0.001), and LCE significantly enhances CCC ( β  = 0.320, p  < 0.001). The direct effect of DIS on CCC remains significant ( β  = 0.250, p  < 0.001), with LCE partially mediating this relationship (Bootstrap 95% CI = [0.0872, 0.1790]). The study establishes a systematic evaluation framework for assessing indigenous cultural integration in higher education across diverse contexts.