Understanding entrepreneurial intentions of university students in India: an integrated approach of theory of planned behavior and entrepreneurial event model

Purpose This study aims to understand the factors using the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Entrepreneurial Event Model, determining the Entrepreneurial Intentions and subsequently their influence in forming entrepreneurship behavior among university students in India. Previously, these models were separately used; this study captures how and in what way these constructs offer a more dynamic explanation of the development of Entrepreneurial Intention and how it transforms into entrepreneurial behavior. Design/methodology/approach From the students of three public universities of India, 346 data were collected employing the Purposive sampling technique and through a mixed approach of collecting data both offline and online. For the data analysis, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied. Findings The findings show that Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, Perceived Feasibility, Perceived Desirability and Entrepreneurship Education positively influence Entrepreneurial Intentions and Personal Attitude, and University Support insignificantly impacts the Entrepreneurial Intentions. Furthermore, Entrepreneurial Intentions significantly mediates the association of Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, Perceived Feasibility, Perceived Desirability and Entrepreneurship Education, with Entrepreneurial Behavior. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the three public universities of India only and ignores the rest, but the results may differ across the different geographical areas due to socio-economic and cultural differences. Originality/value The study integrates the constructs of two widely used frameworks, the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Entrepreneurial Event Model. The study further adds to contextual value by adding contextual variables such as Entrepreneurship Education and University Support that previously remained unexplored in the Indian higher education context.