Unpacking entrepreneurial intention in adolescents: the mediating role of future vision and risk perception

Purpose The aim of this study is to examine the influence of key entrepreneurial competencies – proactivity, future vision, and risk perception – on the development of entrepreneurial intention of adolescent students in vocational education. Specifically, it explores whether future vision and risk perception mediate the relationship between proactivity and entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered questionnaire completed by a sample of 400 vocational education students in Spain. Constructs were measured using previously validated scales, and data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized indirect effects. Findings The results revealed that proactivity does not directly predict entrepreneurial intention in adolescent students. However, both future vision and risk perception fully mediate this relationship. This indicates that proactivity translates into entrepreneurial intention only when accompanied by cognitive-perceptual competencies that enable students to strategically envision the future and manage perceived risks. Originality/value This research contributes to the entrepreneurial education literature by indicating that behavioural traits such as proactivity are insufficient alone to foster entrepreneurial intention in young learners. Instead, the findings underscore the importance of integrating future-oriented thinking and positive risk appraisal into entrepreneurship education programmes. The study proposes a robust theoretical model explaining how entrepreneurial intention develops during adolescence, offering practical implications for curriculum design and youth entrepreneurship policy.