Factors Influencing the Entrepreneurial Intentions of Economics Students in Afghanistan: The Mediating Roles of Attitude toward Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61166/amd.v4i2.119Keywords:
entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, attitude toward entrepreneurship, university support, family support, PLS-SEM, AfghanistanAbstract
Entrepreneurship is widely regarded as a central mechanism for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction, yet it remains understudied in fragile and conflict-affected economies such as Afghanistan. This study examines the factors that shape the entrepreneurial intentions of final-year economics students at ten Afghan universities, focusing on the indirect pathways through which university support and family support influence entrepreneurial intention via two mediating variables: attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Learning Theory, a cross-sectional quantitative survey was administered to 192 sixth- and eighth-semester economics students, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The structural model indicated that attitude toward entrepreneurship (β = 0.454, p < .001) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.172, p < .01) both exerted positive, significant direct effects on entrepreneurial intention. Of the ten hypothesized indirect pathways, only two were supported: university support for the development of entrepreneurial characteristics increased entrepreneurial intention through attitude toward entrepreneurship (β = 0.317, p < .001), and family support for autonomy promotion increased entrepreneurial intention through entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.045, p < .05). Conversely, family support for volitional functioning exerted a significant negative indirect effect through attitude toward entrepreneurship (β = −0.128, p < .001), and university support for concept development showed an unexpected negative indirect effect through attitude (β = −0.110, p < .05). The model explained 33.3% of the variance in attitude, 26.9% in self-efficacy, and 29.9% in entrepreneurial intention. More than 93% of respondents reported above-average entrepreneurial intention, despite weak or negative university-support pathways, suggesting that Afghan students' willingness to pursue entrepreneurship is driven more by necessity and family dynamics than by formal institutional support. The findings offer practical implications for university curricula, entrepreneurship policy, and family-oriented interventions in Afghanistan and comparable developing-country contexts.
References
Achchuthan, S., & Nimalathasan, B. (2012). Entrepreneurial motivation and self-employment intention: A case study on management undergraduates of the University of Jaffna. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
Aldrich, H., & Zimmer, C. (1986). Entrepreneurship through social networks. In D. Sexton & R. Smilor (Eds.), The art and science of entrepreneurship (pp. 3–23). Ballinger.
Amofah, K. R., & Kofi Akwaa-Sekyi, E. (2020). Entrepreneurial intentions among MBA students. Cogent Business & Management, 7(1), Article 1832401. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1832401
Autio, E. (2001). Entrepreneurial intent among students in Europe and the USA. Enterprise and Innovation Management Studies, 2(2), 141–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/14632440110094641
Babbie, E. (2021). The practice of social research (15th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice Hall.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Freeman.
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Bygrave, W. D. (2003). Entrepreneurship and unemployment: Relationship between unemployment and entrepreneurship in 37 nations participating in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2002. Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 551–563.
Caputo, A., et al. (2024). Risk-taking, knowledge, and mindset: Unpacking the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20, Article 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-024-01064-3
Chen, C. C., Greene, P. G., & Crick, A. (1998). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy distinguish entrepreneurs from managers? Journal of Business Venturing, 13(4), 295–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(97)00029-3
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Deli, F. (2011). Opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship: Local unemployment and the small firm effect. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 12(4), 38–57.
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4.
Farrukh, M., Khan, A. A., Shahzad, I. A., Ramzani, S. R., Alam, R. B. E., & Meng, F. (2018). Entrepreneurial intentions: The role of personality traits in perspective of the theory of planned behaviour. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(3), 399–414. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJIE-01-2018-0004
Fayolle, A., Basso, O., & Bouchard, V. (2014). In quest of legitimacy: The role of family support in nascent entrepreneurship. International Small Business Journal, 32(8), 996–1014. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242613518357
Fayolle, A., & Gailly, B. (2015). The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial attitudes and intention: Hysteresis and persistence. Journal of Small Business Management, 53(1), 75–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12065
Fayolle, A., & Liñán, F. (2014). The future of research on entrepreneurial intentions. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 10(4), 663–666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-014-0286-4
Fitri, T., et al. (2024). Influential factors of small and medium-sized enterprises growth across developed and developing countries: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 16. https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790241258097
Fragoso, R., Rocha-Junior, W., & Xavier, A. (2019). Determinant factors of entrepreneurial intention among university students. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 32(1), 33–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2018.1551459
Gartner, W. B. (1985). A conceptual framework for describing the phenomenon of new venture creation. Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 696–706. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1985.4279094
Genius. (2025). Entrepreneur statistics. https://joingenius.com/statistics/entrepreneur-stats/
González, L. A., et al. (2024). University student entrepreneurial intentions: The effects of perceived institutional support, parental role models, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 31(2), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-09-2022-0408
Greeni, M., et al. (2022). Factors affecting students' entrepreneurial intentions: A systematic review (2005–2022) for future directions. Management Review Quarterly, 74, 1667–1707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-022-00289-2
Gupta, V., & Bhawe, N. M. (2007). The influence of proactive personality on the entrepreneurial intentions of students. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 12(2), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1084946707000505
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Human Rights Watch. (2025). World report 2025: Afghanistan. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/afghanistan
Hussain, M. D., Bhuiyan, A. B., & Bakar, R. (2014). Entrepreneurship development and poverty alleviation: An empirical review. Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 4(10), 558–573.
Ifeoma, A. R., et al. (2018). Effect of entrepreneurship development on poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Journal of Business and Management, 20(2), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-2002108087
Ishfaq, A. (2022). Linking self-efficacy, entrepreneurial fit, family support, and entrepreneurial intentions: An explanatory mechanism. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 959444. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.959444
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263–291. https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
Karabulut, A. T. (2016). Personality traits on entrepreneurial intention. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 229, 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.07.109
Krueger, N. F., & Carsrud, A. L. (1993). Entrepreneurial intentions: Applying the theory of planned behaviour. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 5(4), 315–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985629300000020
Krueger, N. F., Reilly, M. D., & Carsrud, A. L. (2000). Competing models of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Business Venturing, 15(5–6), 411–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(98)00033-0
Liñán, F. (2008). Skill and value perceptions: How do they affect entrepreneurial intentions? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 4(3), 257–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-008-0098-8
Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. W. (2009). Development and cross-cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593–617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00318.x
Liñán, F., & Fayolle, A. (2015). A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions: Citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11(4), 907–933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0356-5
Liñán, F., Rodríguez-Cohard, J. C., & Rueda-Cantuche, J. M. (2011). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intention levels: A role for education. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 7(2), 195–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-010-0151-1
Liñán, F., Urbano, D., & Guerrero, M. (2011). Regional variations in entrepreneurial cognitions: Start-up intentions of university students in Spain. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 23(3–4), 187–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2011.577546
Lopes da Rocha, A. K., et al. (2021). The role of university environment in promoting entrepreneurial behavior: Evidence from heterogeneous regions in Brazil. Innovation & Management Review, 18(1), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1108/INMR-08-2020-0112
Magableh, K. N., & Kannan, S. (2023). Early recognition of entrepreneurial traits and intentions: A comparative study on university students in Australia and Japan. Entrepreneurship Education, 6, 87–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41959-023-00097-z
Makai, A. L., & Dőry, T. (2023). Perceived university support and environment as a factor of entrepreneurial intention: Evidence from the Western Transdanubia region. PLOS ONE, 18(3), e0283850. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283850
Marius, K. (2025, January). State of entrepreneurship trends [Blog post]. MarkinBlog. https://www.markinblog.com
Martin, B. C., McNally, J. J., & Kay, M. J. (2013). Examining the formation of human capital in entrepreneurship: A meta-analysis of entrepreneurship education outcomes. Journal of Business Venturing, 28(2), 211–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.03.002
McGee, J. E., Peterson, M., Mueller, S. L., & Sequeira, J. M. (2009). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: Refining the measure. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(4), 965–988. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00304.x
Miller, D. (1983). The correlates of entrepreneurship in three types of firms. Management Science, 29(7), 770–791. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.29.7.770
Najib, B., & Sirine, H. (2021). The role of family environment in developing the entrepreneurial intention of young Tunisian students. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(1), 31–50. https://doi.org/10.15678/EBER.2021.090102
Nguyen, P. M., et al. (2018). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intention of business students: A case study of the VNU University of Economics and Business. VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business, 34(4), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1108/vnueab.4159
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press.
Pauceanu, A. M., et al. (2018). What determinants influence students to start their own business? Empirical evidence from United Arab Emirates universities. Sustainability, 11(1), Article 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11010092
Robert, L. E., et al. (2011). The role of social influence, culture and gender on entrepreneurial intent. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 24(4), 473–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2011.10593549
Salam Watandar Radio Station. (2024). SAMO's 29 exclusive reports shed light on challenges and opportunities for youths. https://swn.af/en/2024/11/samos-29-exclusive-reports-shed-light-on-challenges-and-opportunities-for-youths/
SBA. (2024). The yearly small businesses report. U.S. Small Business Administration.
Shane, S., & Venkataraman, S. (2000). The promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research. Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 217–226. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2000.2791611
Shapero, A., & Sokol, L. (1982). The social dimensions of entrepreneurship. In C. Kent, D. Sexton, & K. Vesper (Eds.), The encyclopedia of entrepreneurship (pp. 72–90). Prentice Hall.
Sharma, V., et al. (2019). Role of family climate in shaping entrepreneurial characteristics. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management, 8(2), 15–24.
Shirokova, G., Osiyevskyy, O., & Bogatyreva, K. (2016). Exploring the intention–behavior link in student entrepreneurship: Moderating effects of individual and environmental characteristics. European Management Journal, 34(4), 386–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2016.02.002
Staniewski, M. W., & Slomski, T. (2015). Student readiness to start their own business. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 28(1), 583–598. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2015.1085809
USAID. (2025). Afghanistan – Complex emergency: Fact sheet.
World Bank Group. (2022). Afghanistan's economy faces critical challenges as it adjusts to new realities. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/10/18/afghanistan-s-economy-faces-critical-challenges-as-it-adjusts-to-new-realities
Zahra, S. A., & Wright, M. (2011). Entrepreneurship's next act. Academy of Management Perspectives, 25(4), 67–83. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2010.0149
Zhao, H., Seibert, S. E., & Hills, G. E. (2005). The mediating role of self-efficacy in the development of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1265–1272. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.6.1265
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Baz Mohammad Mubariz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
