The relationship between perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention: the role of perception of university support, perceived creativity disposition and entrepreneurial passion

Entrepreneurship has led to the ever increasing and continuous growing field of entrepreneurship education. However, there are growing concerns about the effectiveness of the programme in forming entrepreneurial intention and the ultimate advancement of enterprising behaviour. Hence, this study investigated the relationship between perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention, while considering the role of perception of university support, perceived creativity disposition, entrepreneurial passion for inventing, and entrepreneurial passion for founding a business venture. To validate the model, data from 595 university students were analysed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that all the hypothesised direct relationships were supported except for the relationship between perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Similarly, the hypothesized mediating relationships were supported. In addition, only two hypothesized moderating relationships were supported, but not the moderating effect of perception of university support on perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial passion for founding. Based on the findings, this study contributes theoretically by extending the use of both the theory of planned behaviour and Shapero’s entrepreneurial event model framework to increase the understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Methodologically, this study contributes by employing the hierarchical modelling using
PLS-SEM to explain the relationships developed. In practical terms, the findings provide the stakeholders responsible for entrepreneurship development a better picture of the formation of entrepreneurial intentions, as well as the impact of potential venture initiators’ beliefs and perceptions on their intention to commence a business. Overall, it enables the government and the policy-makers to direct thoughts and resources on young adults who are likely to form entrepreneurial intentions, and consequently, create business ventures