Entrepreneurial intention among Colombian university students: A theory of planned behavior analysis in Colombia

Abstract

Studies on entrepreneurship have used several approaches, among which, research on entrepreneurial intention (EI) can be highlighted. Studies on EI help researchers better understand entrepreneurial behavior. In this sense, one of the most relevant frameworks in EI studies is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which stands out for its predictive capacity, mainly in a university context. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between the variables of Personal Attitudes (PAs), Subjective Norms (SNs), and Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) with respect to the EI of university students in Colombia. For this purpose, we constructed a model that integrates the elements of the TPB with EI with reference to the validated instrument of the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student's Survey (GUESSS) project applied to a sample of 12,383 students. The estimation of the model uses structural equations (SEMs) by means of Partial Least Squares-Path Modelling (PLS-PM). The findings show that PAs and PBC are determinants of EI, while SNs have no direct influence; however, their effects are indirect. These results have implications for how to promote entrepreneurship in emerging economies through the university environment. The results indicate that the development of students' capabilities is essential for entrepreneurship and its incorporation into the university's knowledge transfer model.