EMPOWERING FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS: THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION, SELF-EFFICACY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET IN SHAPING ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has become an important strategy for empowering young people and fostering sustainable economic development, particularly in developing economies. This study examines the influence of entrepreneurship education, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial mindset on entrepreneurial intention among university students. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 191 students enrolled in entrepreneurship-related courses at an Indonesian public university. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the direct effects of the independent variables on entrepreneurial intention. The findings reveal that entrepreneurship education and self-efficacy have positive and significant effects on entrepreneurial intention, while entrepreneurial mindset does not demonstrate a significant direct effect. Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of entrepreneurial intention, indicating that students’ confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities plays a critical role in transforming entrepreneurial potential into entrepreneurial aspirations. These findings suggest that entrepreneurship education functions not only as a knowledge-transfer mechanism but also as an empowerment process that strengthens students’ capabilities, confidence, and readiness to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The study contributes to the entrepreneurship and higher education literature by providing evidence from a developing economy and highlighting the importance of integrating educational and psychological empowerment strategies in fostering future entrepreneurs. The findings also offer practical implications for universities and policymakers in designing entrepreneurship programs that support youth empowerment and entrepreneurial development.