The Psychological and Contextual Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Business Students in Pakistan: The Mediating Roles of Entrepreneurial Motivation and Perceived Behavioral Control

Abstract

The study address the psychological and social factors that influence the intentions of Pakistani higher education students interested in entrepreneurship, drawing on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).Using structural equation modelling, the study employs a sample of 384 respondents to analyze the variables of personal attitude, self-efficacy, subjective norms, entrepreneurship education, perceived behavioural control, and entrepreneurial motivation in a cross-sectional study with a quantitative methodology. According to the study findings, psychological constructs, especially self-efficacy, personal attitude and motivation, are influential in predicting entrepreneurial intention. The mediating effect of the entrepreneurial motivation and perceived behavioural control is highlighted in the paper and the importance of social support and educational exposure is observed in the development of the entrepreneurial behaviour. The results are of practical importance to the educators, policymakers, and development practitioners in developing economies who are engaged in the establishment of entrepreneurship among the youth.