Inspired to create, confident to start: linking passion, creativity and education to entrepreneurial intentions among students in higher education

Purpose This research aims to explore the linkage between entrepreneurship education (EE), entrepreneurial passion (EP), creativity and entrepreneurial intention (EI) among university students in higher education. It also examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) in explaining the linkage model. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes a self-administered questionnaire to educational university students in Malang of Indonesia, using online questionnaires and the data were further analyzed using structural equation modelling. Findings The empirical findings reveal that EE can always be a robust predictor for raising ESE and EI. Moreover, EP and creativity are also considered important for stimulating students' business intention. This study underscores the emergence of ESE as a mediator for EE, EP and EI. Research limitations/implications The findings extend theoretical perspectives of the social cognitive theory (SCT) and entrepreneurial event model (EEM) beyond knowledge acquisition toward motivational and cognitive development. The output from this study will be useful for policy scholars and educational institutions to promote a large percentage of entrepreneurs from university graduates by considering the main role of three matters of education, passion and creativity. Originality/value This is the first study to involve a dual theoretical lens of SCT and EEM by incorporating EP and creativity in an integrated model to prepare entrepreneurial activities among higher education students.