Moderation of Business Role Model Support in Entrepreneurial Aspiration-Intention Link: An Empirical Study in India

Entrepreneurial intention among youth reflects complex cognitive and social influences rather than mere desire. This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial aspiration on self-employment intention and the moderating role of business role model support among Indian business students. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory, data from 673 students across Chhattisgarh were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Findings indicate that entrepreneurial aspiration significantly drives intention, while role model support is the strongest predictor and significantly strengthens the aspiration–intention link. The study highlights the importance of role models in transforming aspiration into actionable entrepreneurial intent in emerging economies.