Investigating students’ perceptions and intentions towards Islamic micro-entrepreneurship: evidence from a waqf university in Turkiye

Purpose This study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial intentions of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU) students in the context of Islamic micro-entrepreneurship (IME). Design/methodology/approach A survey involving 319 IZU students was conducted to evaluate the validity and acceptance of IME concepts using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Five key variables were measured: students’ perceived attractiveness, social norms and self-control regarding motivation to engage in IME as (1) volunteers, (2) administrators, (3) trainers, (4) coaches and (5) their overall intentions toward IME. The data was analyzed using SPSS and structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the relationships and predictive power of TPB constructs in explaining students’ engagement with IME. Findings Results indicate a significant readiness among IZU students to engage in IME activities, driven by their roles as volunteers, administrators and coaches. The research highlights a strong demand for IME initiatives both on-campus and online. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for digital entrepreneurship, showcasing students’ potential in supporting micro-entrepreneurs through tools like virtual reality and social media marketing. Originality/value This study fills a critical gap in the IME field by providing a TPB-based framework to evaluate entrepreneurial intentions. It uniquely examines the role of Islamic education in shaping entrepreneurial behavior, focusing on IZU’s Islamic identity. The findings offer valuable insights for universities, policymakers and micro-entrepreneurial or microfinance institutions aiming to create youth-driven IME models, particularly in the context of the evolving digital economy.