The Impact of Perceived University Support on Digital Entrepreneurial Intention with Perceived Desirability as a Mediation Variable

Background/purpose. Digital entrepreneurship has become an increasingly prominent field of interest, with universities playing a significant role in supporting students' ambitions to embark on entrepreneurial ventures. This research aims to examine how perceived university support influences students’ desirability. Furthermore, it highlights the mediating role of perceived desirability in the relationship between the support offered by universities and students’ digital entrepreneurial intentions. Materials/methods. To evaluate the relationship and analyze the conceptual model, we used structural equation modeling combined with the bootstrapping method based on data from a sample of 309 university students in Vietnam. Results. The findings indicate that perceived university support positively influences students' perceived desirability to engage in digital entrepreneurship. Furthermore, perceived desirability also emerges as a significant predictor of entrepreneurial intention within the Vietnamese context. Additionally, mediation analysis reveals that perceived desirability acts as a crucial link between university support and students' intention to establish digital start-ups. Conclusion. These findings carry implications for both university educators and policymakers by highlighting how universities can provide comprehensive educational and developmental support. This support enhances students' positive perceptions and desirability toward entrepreneurship, ultimately strengthening their digital entrepreneurial intentions.