Role of Entrepreneurship Education Program Triggers and Perceived Social Support in Student’s Entrepreneurship Intention Formation

Abstract

Purpose: The research paper aims to understand the influence of specific triggers derived from entrepreneurship education programs (EEPs) on students’ intentions. Additionally, it extends the theory of planned behavior by including an additional construct of perceived social support (PSS) as a determinant of students’ entrepreneurship intention (EI). Methodology: A sample of 395 university students from the Indian state of Gujarat, who had previously attended EEPs, was selected. A convenient sampling method was employed to validate the scale, which was further refined using confirmatory factor analysis in the first stage and through the measurement model in Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in the second step. Findings: The triggers derived from assessed EEPs had a significant impact on EI and its antecedents. While PSS did not have any significant impact on attitude, it did have considerable influence on perceived behavior control and subjective norms. Practical Implications: Universities should extensively address the trigger component in EEPs. It is the trigger derived from these programs that raises attitudes and intentions toward entrepreneurship. This article also confirms that PSS is essential for the development of EI, owing to which, policy support from government and universities does enhance the students’ enthusiasm to pursue sustainable entrepreneurship. Originality/Value: This research makes unique contribution to entrepreneurship literature by considering the role of ‘triggers’ that are acquired from EEPs because they raise the attitudes and intentions among students.