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Environmental Factors, Personal Factors, and the Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students from the Perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Contributions to a Sustainable Vision of Entrepreneurship in the Business Area

Author

Listed:
  • Vilma Geni Slomski

    (University Center of the Álvares Penteado School of Commerce Foundation (UNIFECAP), São Paulo CEP 01502-001, Brazil)

  • Antonio Vicente Tavares de Souza Junior

    (University Center of the Álvares Penteado School of Commerce Foundation (UNIFECAP), São Paulo CEP 01502-001, Brazil)

  • Carlos Eduardo Facin Lavarda

    (Department of Accounting, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis CEP 88040-900, Brazil)

  • Itzhak David Simão Kaveski

    (Department of Accounting, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campus of the Nova Andradina, Nova Andradina CEP 79750-000, Brazil)

  • Valmor Slomski

    (Department of Accounting and Actuarial (EAC/FEA/USP), School of Economics, Business, Accounting and Actuarial of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-010, Brazil)

  • Ronaldo Frois de Carvalho

    (University Center of the Álvares Penteado School of Commerce Foundation (UNIFECAP), São Paulo CEP 01502-001, Brazil)

  • Ana Lucia Fontes de Souza Vasconcelos

    (Department of Accounting and Actuarial, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife-PE CEP 50670-901, Brazil)

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between environmental and cognitive factors and the entrepreneurial intentions of business students from the perspective of the Planned Behavior Theory. Data were collected in the classroom through a questionnaire that was distributed to 229 freshmen in the first year of the Accounting, Economics and Administration course, and the analysis was carried out using the Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). It was found that education and conducive business environments are predictive of cognitive factors, such as a favorable evaluation of an entrepreneurial career choice and social pressures, with indirect effects on intentions to undertake entrepreneurship (EI). In addition, entrepreneurial intentions are influenced by cognitive factors, such as a positive evaluation of an entrepreneurial career and perceived entrepreneurial ability. This demonstrates that environmental factors potentiate cognitive factors and, indirectly, the intention to undertake entrepreneurship (EI). It was identified that public policies do not influence the perceived entrepreneurial capacity and that social pressures are not predictive of the surveyed students’ intentions to undertake entrepreneurship. These data require the attention of universities and governments to create environments that are conducive to entrepreneurship and students’ decisions to engage with sustainable projects and business models. It is concluded that environmental factors are predictive of cognitive aspects with positive and significant effects on the entrepreneurial career intentions of university students. An entrepreneurial attitude and the ability to transform ideas into actions create space for the promotion of a student micro-entrepreneur and the cultivation of a sustainable entrepreneurial culture in higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Vilma Geni Slomski & Antonio Vicente Tavares de Souza Junior & Carlos Eduardo Facin Lavarda & Itzhak David Simão Kaveski & Valmor Slomski & Ronaldo Frois de Carvalho & Ana Lucia Fontes de Souza Vascon, 2024. "Environmental Factors, Personal Factors, and the Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students from the Perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Contributions to a Sustainable Vision of Entr," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5304-:d:1419910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martínez González José Alberto & Kobylińska Urszula, 2019. "Influence of personal variables on entrepreneurial intention: A comparative study between Poland and Spain," Engineering Management in Production and Services, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 68-79, March.
    2. Gieure, Clara & Benavides-Espinosa, María del Mar & Roig-Dobón, Salvador, 2020. "The entrepreneurial process: The link between intentions and behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 541-548.
    3. Brizeida Raquel Hernández-Sánchez & Giuseppina Maria Cardella & José Carlos Sánchez-García, 2020. "Psychological Factors that Lessen the Impact of COVID-19 on the Self-Employment Intention of Business Administration and Economics’ Students from Latin America," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-22, July.
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