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Entrepreneurship Education, Role Models, and Risk-Taking Propensity as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention and Behaviour: Evidence from TVET and University Students in Gauteng, South Africa

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  • Nkosinathi Henry Mothibi

    (Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Mmakgabo Justice Malebana

    (Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

Abstract

The extent to which entrepreneurship education and exposure to role models influence the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial intention, and subsequent entrepreneurial behaviour has yielded mixed results in prior research. Furthermore, limited attention has been given to the role of risk-taking propensity in shaping attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control within the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. To address these gaps, this study investigates the influence of entrepreneurship education and role models on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behaviour, drawing on the TPB. In addition, the study examines the effect of risk-taking propensity on both attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control, the relationships between the TPB antecedents and entrepreneurial intention, as well as the direct effects of perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behaviour. Data were collected from 496 final-year diploma students enrolled at a University of Technology and a TVET College in Gauteng, South Africa, using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data and test the hypothesised relationships. The findings revealed that entrepreneurship education significantly influences all the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention but does not have a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention or behaviour. Role models had a significant positive effect on perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial behaviour, but no effect on attitude towards behaviour or entrepreneurial intention. Risk-taking propensity had a positive effect on both attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control. Furthermore, attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted entrepreneurial intention, while subjective norms did not. Both entrepreneurial intention and perceived behavioural control exerted a significant direct effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. This study highlights the critical role of entrepreneurship education, exposure to entrepreneurial role models, and risk-taking propensity as drivers of entrepreneurial intention and behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Nkosinathi Henry Mothibi & Mmakgabo Justice Malebana, 2025. "Entrepreneurship Education, Role Models, and Risk-Taking Propensity as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention and Behaviour: Evidence from TVET and University Students in Gauteng, South Africa," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:10:p:374-:d:1755877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Justice Malebana, 2014. "Entrepreneurial intentions of South African rural university students: A test of the theory of planned behaviour," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(2), pages 130-143.
    2. Houda Bouarir & Asmae Diani & Omar Boubker & Jaouad Rharzouz, 2023. "Key Determinants of Women’s Entrepreneurial Intention and Behavior: The Role of Business Opportunity Recognition and Need for Achievement," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Anabela Dinis, 2024. "The impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ desirability and intentions to pursue an entrepreneurial career: a study in general and vocational secondary schools of Cabo Verde," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-27, December.
    4. Erick Silesky-Gonzalez & Yendry Lezcano-Calderon & Alexandra Mora-Cruz, 2025. "Effects of education for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention in university students," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Arezou Abbasianchavari & Alexandra Moritz, 2021. "The impact of role models on entrepreneurial intentions and behavior: a review of the literature," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(1), pages 1-40, February.
    6. Nkosinathi Henry Mothibi & Mmakgabo Justice Malebana & Edward Malatse Rankhumise, 2024. "Munificent Environment Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Intention and Behaviour: The Moderating Role of Risk-Taking Propensity," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, September.
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