Entrepreneurship education and business and science students’ green entrepreneurial intentions: The role of green entrepreneurial self-efficacy and environmental awareness

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education (EE) is widely acknowledged as a proactive approach to fostering self-employment opportunities among young individuals. This study investigates the role of green entrepreneurial self-efficacy (GESE) and environmental awareness (ENVA) on the influence of EE on green entrepreneurial intentions (GEI) among both business and science students. We used a PLS-SEM to analyze data obtained from 412 Tanzanian students who completed a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that EE has a positive and significant direct and indirect effect on GEI through GESE. Additionally, both GESE and ENVA exhibit positive and significant effects on GEI. Moreover, the study highlights that ENVA strengthens the effect of GESE on GEI. The results from a multigroup analysis uncovered significant differences in some hypothesized relationships between business and science students, with science students demonstrating stronger effects compared to business students. Our findings carry implications both practitioners and academics. Firstly, this study contributes to overarching development goals concerning education and environmentally friendly practices. Secondly, it furnishes empirical insights explaining the role of EE in nurturing environmentally conscious entrepreneurship. Lastly, our research serves as a catalyst for managers and policymakers to enhance entrepreneurial programs by integrating green entrepreneurship initiatives.