From the classroom to the firm: Understanding entrepreneurial intention in college students

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students. The methodology employed includes data collection through a Likert scale questionnaire, applied to 431 students from the Faculty of Marketing at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, and the analysis using a structural equation model (SEM). The results indicate that both entrepreneurial education and social support, as well as the psychological characteristics of the students, have a significant impact on their entrepreneurial intentions, with notable differences according to gender. Key elements were identified, such as the role of education in fostering a positive perception of entrepreneurship and the importance of social support in the process. The conclusions highlight the need to strengthen entrepreneurial education in universities and to create an environment that fosters the development of entrepreneurial skills, which could contribute to an increase in entrepreneurial activity and economic growth in the local context.