Sustainable entrepreneurship: exploring the intention–behavior gap

Purpose The sustainability of a student-initiated startup is function of intention–behavior gap and is inversely related. The overall performance of any university/program is evaluated through the number of startups initiated but majority of them are unable to survive when program gets over. Entrepreneurial intention (EI)–behavior gap is a deeply rooted cause behind such compromised entrepreneurial outcome of entrepreneurship education. The purpose of this study is to explore determinants of intention–behavior gap to address sustainability dimension of startups initiated by university students. Design/methodology/approach The study has adopted qualitative approach to explore determinants of EI–behavior gap; 12 students-initiated startups had been identified from a private university established in the region of Uttar Pradesh in India. One member from each group of student’s initiated startups had been contacted for in-person interview. Responses collected through structured interviews were analyzed afterward for the purpose. Findings The outcome of the study has identified five key determinants and develops a conceptual EI–behavior gap framework to address sustainability challenges of student-initiated startups. Originality/value The outcome of this study can be utilized by educational institutions to strengthen their entrepreneurial eco-system to ensure the sustainability of student-initiated startups. Identified determinants may reduce the possibility of startups failures in comparison to non-student entrepreneurs.