The influence of entrepreneurial engagement on entrepreneurial intention through entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Abstract

Entrepreneurial intention plays a crucial role in preparing vocational high school students for future career opportunities and entrepreneurial activities. This study aimed to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial engagement and entrepreneurial intention, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediating variable, among vocational high school students in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. A quantitative ex post facto research design was employed, involving 292 students selected through proportional cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Entrepreneurial Engagement Scale (EES), Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ), and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS Macro Model 4 in SPSS 25 with bootstrapping. The results indicated that entrepreneurial engagement was positively associated with entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = .53, p < .01) and entrepreneurial intention (β = .25, p < .01). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy was also positively associated with entrepreneurial intention (β = .43, p < .01). Furthermore, a significant indirect association was identified through entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = .23, 95% CI [.16, .29]), with the model explaining 35% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. These findings highlight the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and suggest the importance of integrating experiential entrepreneurship activities and self-efficacy development into school career guidance programs.