Influence of the institutional environment on the entrepreneurial intentions of students in a premier science and technology university of an underdeveloped country

Yohannes Workeaferahu Elifneh (), Temesgen Abebaw Wonda () and Peter Alemu ()
Additional contact information
Yohannes Workeaferahu Elifneh: Addis Ababa University
Temesgen Abebaw Wonda: Woldia University
Peter Alemu: Addis Ababa University

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 2025, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst for innovation, economic expansion, and job creation on a global scale. However, research focusing on the institutional factors influencing university students’ entrepreneurial intentions remains scarce, particularly in the context of underdeveloped economies. This study examines the effect of the institutional environment (regulative, cognitive, and normative) on entrepreneurial intentions, with the mediating roles of perceived desirability and feasibility, among undergraduate students in Ethiopia—a setting where related research is limited. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 287 graduating students at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), the country’s premier institution for science and technology. Correlation analysis demonstrated positive relationships between all institutional environment factors and entrepreneurial intention. Regression results revealed significant effects for the normative and cognitive environments, as well as for desirability and feasibility, while the regulatory environment showed an insignificant direct effect. Sobel tests confirmed that desirability and feasibility significantly mediated the relationships between institutional environments and entrepreneurial intentions. These findings underscore the crucial role of desirability and feasibility in fostering entrepreneurship among students. Overall, this study extends existing literature by exploring an underrepresented regional context and offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders aiming to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems in underdeveloped countries.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial intentions; Institutional environment; University students; Underdeveloped country; Ethiopia; L26; M10; J24; I23; J11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40497-025-00477-w Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:jglont:v:15:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s40497-025-00477-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer. ... urship/journal/40497

DOI: 10.1007/s40497-025-00477-w

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research is currently edited by Nezameddin Faghih

More articles in Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research from Springer, UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().