Abstract
The creative economy has become a key driver of economic growth, employment, and innovation. However, creative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to face challenges in fostering a creative entrepreneurial mindset that supports sustainable career development. This study examines the effect of the creative entrepreneurial mindset on career intentions. It investigates how strategic human resource development (HRD), digitalization, access to technology, and social collaboration strengthen this relationship. The study employed a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study analyzed quantitative data using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM-PLS) and examined qualitative data through thematic analysis in NVivo. The findings indicate that a creative entrepreneurial mindset significantly and positively influences career intentions. Strategic HRD practices focused on continuous learning and innovation enhance entrepreneurial capabilities, while digitalization and access to technology strengthen entrepreneurial opportunities. Social collaboration further reinforces sustainable career development through knowledge sharing and network support. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship and strategic HRD literature by proposing an integrated framework linking entrepreneurial mindset, organizational capability development, and digital transformation. The findings also support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 and SDG 9 by highlighting the importance of entrepreneurial capability development and digital innovation in promoting sustainable careers within creative SMEs.