Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Intention Among Students at the University of Mataram

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention among entrepreneurial students at Universitas Mataram, with an emphasis on the roles of self-efficacy and university support. The research addresses the persistent gap between participation in entrepreneurship programs and low entrepreneurial intention among students despite institutional efforts to foster business creation. The primary objective is to evaluate how self-efficacy, defined as confidence in one's ability to perform entrepreneurial tasks and university support, encompassing curricula, mentorship, and business incubators, shapes students' intentions to start businesses, both independently and collectively. A quantitative approach with a causal design was utilised, involving 70 students from the university's entrepreneurial programs (PKU and P2MW) in the 2023–2024 academic year. Data were gathered through online questionnaires using a 5-point Likert scale and analysed with multiple linear regression. Results indicate that self-efficacy and university support have a significant and positive influence on entrepreneurial intention, both individually and in combination, accounting for 29.3% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. Self-efficacy shows a stronger effect, highlighting the importance of confidence-building activities. The findings suggest that enhancing practical training to boost self-efficacy and improving institutional support through mentorship and resources can strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. The study recommends further investigation into additional factors, such as social and cultural influences, to develop more effective entrepreneurship education initiatives.