Evaluating entrepreneurial intentions of health science students in higher education

Abstract

Purpose Entrepreneurial activities significantly contribute to economic growth and job creation, making entrepreneurship an attractive career path. While students’ entrepreneurial intentions in traditional fields like economics, business and engineering have been widely studied, less attention has been given to nontraditional fields, especially in emerging economies. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the entrepreneurial intentions of health sciences students in Colombian universities, a context marked by unique socioeconomic and cultural factors. Design/methodology/approach The study surveyed 202 students across three colleges. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to validate the theorized relationships and analyze the data. Findings Preliminary findings indicate a positive correlation between personal attitudes and educational support with entrepreneurial intentions among health science students. Contrary to expectations, the influence of family roles and broader sociocultural contexts appeared less significant, suggesting a distinct pattern within this field. Originality/value This paper presents a detailed study of the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intention of health sciences students in higher education. It provides theoretical and practical insights, contributing to the existing literature on entrepreneurial intention. The findings can be used by institutions to develop targeted training programs tailored to students’ specific needs.