Key Factors in Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions

Ricardo Coelho, Gina Santos () and Carla Susana Marques ()
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Ricardo Coelho: University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)
Gina Santos: Lusófona University
Carla Susana Marques: University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)

A chapter in Navigating Economic Uncertainty - Vol. 2, 2025, pp 111-131 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions (EI) among university students in Northern Portugal, focusing on personal attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and self-efficacy while reassessing the impact of societal norms. Using Shapero and Sokol’s entrepreneurial event theory and Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior, data from 674 students were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that attitudes toward entrepreneurship and PBC significantly increase both the desirability and feasibility of entrepreneurial activities, with self-efficacy increasing perceived control. Contrary to previous research, subjective norms had no significant effect, suggesting that societal expectations play a minimal role in shaping students’ EI. This research argues for more personalized and self-efficacy-oriented approaches to entrepreneurship education and policy, challenging traditional perspectives and providing new directions for supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial intentions; Higher education; Self-efficacy; Theory of planned behavior; Startup viability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-031-73510-3_8

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-73510-3_8

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