Does prospective entrepreneurs’ adaptation ability to the software-centred society affect their entrepreneurial intention?

Purpose Using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model, this study explores how university students’ software (SW)-centred social adaptation ability affects their entrepreneurial intention. SW-centred social adaptation ability refers to the ability to understand computational thinking and solve complex problems using the SW programming language. By examining this relationship, this study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the factors that shape entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach The research model integrates SW-centred social adaptation capabilities into the TPB framework to analyse its impact on entrepreneurial intention. We collected data from a survey of 250 Korean university students. Findings We conducted an empirical analysis based on statistical methods to analyse data collected through a questionnaire survey. The results show a significant positive indirect effect between students’ adaptability to an SW-centred society and their entrepreneurial intention, and this indirect effect is mediated by individual attitudes towards entrepreneurship, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Practical implications Based on these findings, we can improve entrepreneurial intention by increasing students’ adaptation capacity to an SW-centred society. This implies that it is important for entrepreneurship education programmes to actively integrate curricula aimed at improving students’ adaptation ability to an SW-centred society. Originality/value This study empirically analyses the adaptability to an SW-centred society under the TPB’s structural model. The findings provide new insights into the factors that influence university students’ entrepreneurial intentions in the recent technology-driven business environment. It also highlights the importance of improving university students’ adaptability to an SW-centred society in the recent era of the fourth industrial revolution.