An analysis of sustainability-driven entrepreneurial intentions among university students: the role of university support and SDG knowledge

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to shed light on the role of university support (US), environmental concern (EC) and Sustainable Development Goal knowledge (SDGK) in forming students' intention (SI) to engage in sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. The authors attempted to blend the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and social cognitive career theory (SCCT) as a potentially useful theoretical base for sustainability-driven entrepreneurial intention (SDEI) development.

Design/methodology/approach

The responses were collected from university students in India using a self-administered questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and partial least squares structured equation modelling (PLS-SEM) are used to examine the data.

Findings

The university support strongly influences students' attitudes towards sustainable entrepreneurship (ATT) and outcome expectations (OEs). Also, the degree of understanding about SDGs among students was alarmingly low, which has crucial negative consequences for future SDG achievement.

Practical implications

The findings of this study may assist academicians and environmental strategists in deciding the crucial factors influencing SI to start a sustainable business. The study highlights the importance of universities in promoting entrepreneurial sustainability decisions.

Originality/value

This research will add value to the prevailing literature in the area of sustainable entrepreneurship as it explores the effects of environmental concern, SDGK and the role of US on sustainable entrepreneurial intention (EI) among Indian engineering students.

Citation

Sharma, L., Bulsara, H.P., Trivedi, M. and Bagdi, H. (2024), "An analysis of sustainability-driven entrepreneurial intentions among university students: the role of university support and SDG knowledge", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 281-301. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-11-2022-0359