Entrepreneurial intention from the attitude and behavioral control of university students

Abstract: This study examines the influence of attitude and perceived behavioral control on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Ayacucho, Peru. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) and data from 468 students, the research validated its findings through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results indicate that both attitude and perceived behavioral control are significant predictors of entrepreneurial intention, together explaining 37% of its variance. Attitude emerged as the most influential factor, accounting for 33%, while perceived behavioral control contributed 19%. These findings support the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and highlight the necessity of educational strategies that promote both constructs to enhance entrepreneurial intent among students. This study offers valuable insights for higher education, suggesting that programs should not only focus on technical skills but also cultivate positive attitudes and a sense of control over entrepreneurial processes. Given that entrepreneurship is crucial for regional economic development, the implications extend to informing educational policies and initiatives aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship. Furthermore, unlike prior research that typically treated attitude and perceived behavioral control separately, this study integrates both constructs within a comprehensive TPB and Self-Determination Theory framework, reinforcing their combined effect on entrepreneurial intentions.