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Validation of the Internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale among Romanian technical students

Author

Listed:
  • Beatrice Adriana Balgiu
  • Daniela Maricica Cotoară
  • Andrei Simionescu-Panait

Abstract

This study’s aim is to evaluate the Romanian version of the Internet Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Scale (IESES), a new assessment scale for online entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and estimate its psychometric properties in a sample of engineering students (N = 644; 317 females). The scale was translated and adapted into Romanian through a forward-backward method. The factorial structure was investigated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and multigroup-CFA for gender invariance. The scale was associated with instruments that measure entrepreneurial intention both traditionally and in the online environment (Individual Entrepreneurial Internet Scale and Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire) and components from the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control). McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were used to assess reliability. Traditional statistics are complemented by network analysis. Results show that adequate matching items for the 3-factor model and complete gender invariance is maintained. The three factors are associated with the internet and traditional entrepreneurial intention, and the components from the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control). Internal consistency is excellent because α and ω values range between 0.834 and 0.919. In addition, discriminant validity was demonstrated. The network analysis suggests the relevance of technology utilization in the self-efficacy of online businesses in the case of engineering students. Overall, findings enable us to conclude that the Romanian version of the IESES is a valid, accurate instrument that can be implemented to evaluate self-efficacy related to the successful execution of an online business.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatrice Adriana Balgiu & Daniela Maricica Cotoară & Andrei Simionescu-Panait, 2024. "Validation of the Internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale among Romanian technical students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0312929
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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