Student Associations and Entrepreneurial Intentions

Abstract

Drawing on Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior and entrepreneurship education theory, this article examines the role of student associations in developing students’ entrepreneurial intentions at early educational stages. This study addresses the scarcity of research on extracurricular activities and on early university experiences of entrepreneurship education and their influence on entrepreneurial intentions. Based on survey data collected from 237 first-year undergraduate business school students and a PLS analysis, we provide empirical evidence on the value of student associations in increasing the entrepreneurial intentions of first-year students through their impact on entrepreneurial attitudes, which are instrumental in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions. The results have important implications both for educational practice and for public and private organizations interested in promoting entrepreneurship. They support the value of including practical training in education programs.