Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Social Media Influence, and Environmental Factors as Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a critical solution to youth unemployment and economic stagnation, especially in developing countries. In today’s digital era, the influence of social media platforms, psychological constructs such as entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and environmental conditions has become pivotal in shaping entrepreneurial dispositions. However, empirical research remains limited on how these factors interact to influence entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among youth in emerging economies. Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study investigates the effects of social media influence, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and environmental support on entrepreneurial attitude, which shapes entrepreneurial intention. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, collecting data through a structured questionnaire administered to students from private universities in Pakistan. A total of 371 valid responses were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships. The results revealed that social media influence and entrepreneurial self-efficacy significantly and positively impact entrepreneurial attitude. Entrepreneurial attitude and strongly predicts entrepreneurial intention. However, environmental support did not exhibit a statistically significant direct effect on entrepreneurial attitude. These findings highlight the primacy of internal cognitive factors and digital engagement over structural conditions in shaping entrepreneurial mindsets.