Unlocking entrepreneurial intentions: The power of educator characteristics and student identification

This study explores the impact of entrepreneurship educators' characteristics on students' entrepreneurial intentions. Focusing on the personal, professional, and pedagogical attributes of educators, the research examines how these factors foster students' identification with them, subsequently shaping attitudes and perceived behavioural control relevant to entrepreneurship. A structured survey conducted among 670 university students enrolled in a mandatory entrepreneurship course served as the primary data source. Results derived from Structural Equation Modelling reveal that educators' professional and pedagogical characteristics significantly enhance students’ identification, which, in turn, positively influences their entrepreneurial attitudes and perceived behavioural control. This study underscores the importance of targeted educational strategies that leverage educator influence to strengthen entrepreneurial mindsets in higher education. Practically, these findings suggest that improving educator training and selection based on professional and pedagogical qualities can foster entrepreneurial intention among students, providing valuable guidance for the development of policies and practices in entrepreneurship education. • Focusing on educators promotes entrepreneurial mindsets in higher education. • Educators' professional and pedagogical characteristics are key in fostering entrepreneurial intentions. • Identification with educators fosters favourable entrepreneurial attitudes among students. • Identification with educators strengthens students' belief in their entrepreneurial capabilities. • Attitude is the strongest predictor of entrepreneurial intentions, followed by perceived control.