Can entrepreneurial knowledge boost the entrepreneurial intent of French students? The mediation role of behavioral antecedents

Purpose - Entrepreneurial knowledge occupies a significant place in policy discourse and practice, especially in developed economies. This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial knowledge on the components of entrepreneurial intent of undergraduate students. The authors seek to decipher a deeper understanding of their orientation for engaging in new ventures. In addition, we analyze the mediating role of behavioral antecedents between entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial intent. Design/methodology/approach - The authors collected the primary data of 400 undergraduate students from French universities and used structural equation modeling through Smart PLS software for testing several pertinent hypotheses. Findings - The study’s results revealed that entrepreneurial knowledge negatively affects students’ attitudes in choosing entrepreneurship in favor of a corporate job. In addition, entrepreneurial knowledge does not affect the social norms and self-efficacy that shape entrepreneurial intent. Interestingly, our study also revealed no mediating role between entrepreneurial knowledge and students’ self-efficacy. Originality/value - The findings of this study will contribute to the academic discourse on the role of entrepreneurial knowledge and its potential effect in promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, this study has policy implications and solicits developing entrepreneurship programs to enhance entrepreneurial intent among young people.