Career Readiness and Resilience as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention: The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy among University Students
Keywords:
Career readiness, resilience, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intention, PLS-SEM
Abstract
Entrepreneurial intention (EI) among university students has become an increasingly important topic in entrepreneurship studies, particularly in developing economies where youth unemployment poses major challenges. Although earlier works have acknowledged the roles of career readiness and resilience in shaping EI, the mediating influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) has received less systematic attention. This study investigates how career readiness and resilience contribute to EI, with ESE positioned as a mediating construct.Survey data were obtained from 200 undergraduate students in Indonesia who were not enrolled in business programs. The dataset was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. Measurement model assessment indicated strong reliability and convergent validity, while discriminant validity was confirmed using the Fornell–Larcker criterion and HTMT ratios. Structural model results revealed that career readiness exerts a significant effect on EI (β = 0.633, p < 0.001), both directly and indirectly through ESE. Likewise, resilience significantly predicted EI (β = 0.123, p < 0.01) and had a strong effect on ESE (β = 0.521, p < 0.001), which subsequently enhanced EI (β = 0.411, p < 0.001). Altogether, the model accounted for 82.3% of the variance in EI, demonstrating high explanatory power.The findings emphasize the crucial mediating role of ESE as a psychological channel through which career readiness and resilience translate into entrepreneurial motivation. This study adds to entrepreneurship research by linking psychological capital and career preparedness to entrepreneurial intention. From a practical standpoint, universities are encouraged to develop programs that foster resilience, strengthen career readiness, and build entrepreneurial self-efficacy, thereby equipping students not only to enter the labor market but also to create employment opportunities.
References
REFERENCES
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Asimakopoulos, G., Hernández, V., & Peña Miguel, J. (2019). Entrepreneurial Intention of Engineering Students: The Role of Social Norms and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. Sustainability, 11(16), 4314. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164314
Atmono, D., Rahmattullah, M., Setiawan, A., Mustofa, R. H., Pramudita, D. A., Ulfatun, T., & Mustofa, A. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurial education on university student’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 12(1), 495. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i1.23262
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W.H. Freeman and Company.
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Chien-Chi, C., Bin, S., Yang, H., Zheng, M., & Beibei, L. (2020). Emotional competence, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention: a study based on china college students’ social entrepreneurship project. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.547627
Elnadi, M., & Gheith, M. H. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention in higher education: evidence from saudi arabia. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 100458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100458
Farhan, A., Rosatyani, P. &, & Adiati, P. (2022). Hubungan Adversity Quotient dengan Intensi Wirausaha pada Mahasiswa Universitas Airlangga. http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/BRPKM
Ganefri Fadillah R. & Hidayat H., -. (2022). Designing interface based on digipreneur to increase entrepreneurial interest in engineering students. International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology, 12(1), 78. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18517/ijaseit.12.1.13915
Ganefri, G., Kamdi, W., Makky, M., Hidayat, H., & Rahmawati, Y. (2024). Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students: The Roles of Entrepreneurial Mindset, Digital Literacy, and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 15(4), 85–134. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/224778/
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Hua, G., Gu, F., Peng, Y., Deng, X., & Guo, L. (2022). Does digital inclusive finance effectively promote agricultural green development?—A case study of China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 6982. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126982
Hussein-Elhakim, A. I. (2022). Psychological capital for success: the mediating role of entrepreneurial persistence and risk-taking. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 14(4), 525–548. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-09-2020-0337
Lent, R. W. ;, Brown, S. D. ;, & Hackett, G. (2002). Social Cognitive Career Theory.
Lestari, E. D., Rizkalla, N., & Purnamaningsih, P. (2022). The effect of perceived university support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and proactive personality in promoting student entrepreneurial intention in indonesia. Journal of Management and Business Education, 5(2), 169–197. https://doi.org/10.35564/jmbe.2022.0011
Li, Y., Cao, K., & Jenatabadi, H. S. (2023). Effect of entrepreneurial education and creativity on entrepreneurial intention in college students: mediating entrepreneurial inspiration, mindset, and self-efficiency. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1240910
Liu, X., Lin, C., Zhao, G., & Zhao, D. (2019). Research on the effects of entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on college students’ entrepreneurial intention. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00869
Long, Z., Zhao, G., Wang, J., Zhang, M., Zhou, S.-Y., Zhang, L., & Zj, H. (2021). Research on the Drivers of Entrepreneurship Education Performance of Medical Students in the Digital Age. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.733301
Lv, Y., Chen, Y., Sha, Y., Wang, J., An, L., Chen, T., Huang, X., Huang, Y., & Huang, L. (2021). How Entrepreneurship Education at Universities Influences Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Effect Based on Entrepreneurial Competence. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.655868
Makhitha, K. (2024). The mediation of self-efficacy in the effect of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurship intention of university students in south africa. International Journal of Education and Practice, 12(4), 1339–1357. https://doi.org/10.18488/61.v12i4.3914
Naktiyok, A., Karabey, C. N., & Güllüce, A. Ç. (2009). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention: the turkish case. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 419–435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-009-0123-6
Purmono, B. B. (2023). Entrepreneurial intention among generation z education self efficacy and attitude. Enrichment : Journal of Management, 13(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.35335/enrichment.v13i1.1228
Rachmawati, D., Sahid, S., & Mahmud, M. I. (2024). Empowering futures: unveiling the impact of career readiness on job seeker and creator through self-efficacy. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 17(4), 299–313. https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2024.170403
Satriadi, S., Ausat, A. M. A., Heryadi, D. Y., Widjaja, W., & Sari, A. R. (2022). Determinants of entrepreneurial intention: a study on indonesian students. BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi Dan Organisasi, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.20476/jbb.v29i3.1323
Steinbrink, K. M., & Ströhle, C. (2023). The entrepreneurial intention of top athletes—does resilience lead the way? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20(2), 607–629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00860-7
Su, Y., Zhu, Z., Chen, J., Jin, Y., Wang, T., Lin, C. L., & Xu, D. (2021). Factors influencing entrepreneurial intention of university students in china: Integrating the perceived university support and theory of planned behavior. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084519
Sun, B., Guo, H., Xu, L., & Ding, F. (2022a). How Does Teachers’ Psychological Capital Influence Workplace Well-Being? A Moderated Mediation Model of Ego-Resiliency and Work-Meaning Cognition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 14730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214730
Sun, B., Guo, H., Xu, L., & Ding, F. (2022b). How Does Teachers’ Psychological Capital Influence Workplace Well-Being? A Moderated Mediation Model of Ego-Resiliency and Work-Meaning Cognition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 14730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214730
Wang, R., Zhou, H., & Wang, L. (2022). The influence of psychological capital and social capital on the entrepreneurial performance of the new generation of entrepreneurs. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.832682
Wang, X., You, X., Wang, H., Wang, B., Lai, W., & Su, N. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: mediation of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and moderating model of psychological capital. Sustainability, 15(3), 2562. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032562
Wardana, L. W., Martha, J. A., Wati, A. P., Narmaditya, B. S., Setyawati, A., Maula, F. I., & Suparno, S. (2024). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy really matter for entrepreneurial intention? lesson from covid-19. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2024.2317231
Wen, Y., Chen, H., Pang, L., & Gu, X. (2020). The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy of Chinese Vocational College Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4511. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124511
Adebusuyi, A. S., Adebusuyi, O. F., & Kolade, O. (2022). Development and validation of sources of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and outcome expectations: a social cognitive career theory perspective. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100572
Ajzen, I. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(4), 314–324. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.195
Al-Qadasi, N., Zhang, G., Al‐Awlaqi, M. A., Alshebami, A. S., & Aamer, A. M. (2023). Factors influencing entrepreneurial intention of university students in yemen: the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1111934
Asimakopoulos, G., Hernández, V., & Peña Miguel, J. (2019). Entrepreneurial Intention of Engineering Students: The Role of Social Norms and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. Sustainability, 11(16), 4314. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164314
Atmono, D., Rahmattullah, M., Setiawan, A., Mustofa, R. H., Pramudita, D. A., Ulfatun, T., & Mustofa, A. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurial education on university student’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 12(1), 495. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i1.23262
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W.H. Freeman and Company.
Burnette, J. L., Pollack, J. M., Forsyth, R. B., Hoyt, C. L., Babij, A. D., Thomas, F., & Coy, A. E. (2019). A growth mindset intervention: enhancing students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career development. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 44(5), 878–908. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258719864293
Chien-Chi, C., Bin, S., Yang, H., Zheng, M., & Beibei, L. (2020). Emotional competence, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention: a study based on china college students’ social entrepreneurship project. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.547627
Elnadi, M., & Gheith, M. H. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention in higher education: evidence from saudi arabia. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 100458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100458
Farhan, A., Rosatyani, P. &, & Adiati, P. (2022). Hubungan Adversity Quotient dengan Intensi Wirausaha pada Mahasiswa Universitas Airlangga. http://e-journal.unair.ac.id/index.php/BRPKM
Ganefri Fadillah R. & Hidayat H., -. (2022). Designing interface based on digipreneur to increase entrepreneurial interest in engineering students. International Journal on Advanced Science Engineering and Information Technology, 12(1), 78. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18517/ijaseit.12.1.13915
Ganefri, G., Kamdi, W., Makky, M., Hidayat, H., & Rahmawati, Y. (2024). Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students: The Roles of Entrepreneurial Mindset, Digital Literacy, and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 15(4), 85–134. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/224778/
Guo, H., Zhang, Y., Tian, Y., Zheng, W., & Ying, L. (2022). Exploring psychological resilience of entrepreneurial college students for post-pandemic pedagogy: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1001110
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. In European Business Review (Vol. 31, Issue 1, pp. 2–24). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Hua, G., Gu, F., Peng, Y., Deng, X., & Guo, L. (2022). Does digital inclusive finance effectively promote agricultural green development?—A case study of China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 6982. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126982
Hussein-Elhakim, A. I. (2022). Psychological capital for success: the mediating role of entrepreneurial persistence and risk-taking. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 14(4), 525–548. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-09-2020-0337
Lent, R. W. ;, Brown, S. D. ;, & Hackett, G. (2002). Social Cognitive Career Theory.
Lestari, E. D., Rizkalla, N., & Purnamaningsih, P. (2022). The effect of perceived university support, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and proactive personality in promoting student entrepreneurial intention in indonesia. Journal of Management and Business Education, 5(2), 169–197. https://doi.org/10.35564/jmbe.2022.0011
Li, Y., Cao, K., & Jenatabadi, H. S. (2023). Effect of entrepreneurial education and creativity on entrepreneurial intention in college students: mediating entrepreneurial inspiration, mindset, and self-efficiency. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1240910
Liu, X., Lin, C., Zhao, G., & Zhao, D. (2019). Research on the effects of entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on college students’ entrepreneurial intention. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00869
Long, Z., Zhao, G., Wang, J., Zhang, M., Zhou, S.-Y., Zhang, L., & Zj, H. (2021). Research on the Drivers of Entrepreneurship Education Performance of Medical Students in the Digital Age. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.733301
Lv, Y., Chen, Y., Sha, Y., Wang, J., An, L., Chen, T., Huang, X., Huang, Y., & Huang, L. (2021). How Entrepreneurship Education at Universities Influences Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Effect Based on Entrepreneurial Competence. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.655868
Makhitha, K. (2024). The mediation of self-efficacy in the effect of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurship intention of university students in south africa. International Journal of Education and Practice, 12(4), 1339–1357. https://doi.org/10.18488/61.v12i4.3914
Naktiyok, A., Karabey, C. N., & Güllüce, A. Ç. (2009). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention: the turkish case. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 419–435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-009-0123-6
Purmono, B. B. (2023). Entrepreneurial intention among generation z education self efficacy and attitude. Enrichment : Journal of Management, 13(1), 16–31. https://doi.org/10.35335/enrichment.v13i1.1228
Rachmawati, D., Sahid, S., & Mahmud, M. I. (2024). Empowering futures: unveiling the impact of career readiness on job seeker and creator through self-efficacy. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 17(4), 299–313. https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2024.170403
Satriadi, S., Ausat, A. M. A., Heryadi, D. Y., Widjaja, W., & Sari, A. R. (2022). Determinants of entrepreneurial intention: a study on indonesian students. BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi Dan Organisasi, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.20476/jbb.v29i3.1323
Steinbrink, K. M., & Ströhle, C. (2023). The entrepreneurial intention of top athletes—does resilience lead the way? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 20(2), 607–629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-023-00860-7
Su, Y., Zhu, Z., Chen, J., Jin, Y., Wang, T., Lin, C. L., & Xu, D. (2021). Factors influencing entrepreneurial intention of university students in china: Integrating the perceived university support and theory of planned behavior. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084519
Sun, B., Guo, H., Xu, L., & Ding, F. (2022a). How Does Teachers’ Psychological Capital Influence Workplace Well-Being? A Moderated Mediation Model of Ego-Resiliency and Work-Meaning Cognition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 14730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214730
Sun, B., Guo, H., Xu, L., & Ding, F. (2022b). How Does Teachers’ Psychological Capital Influence Workplace Well-Being? A Moderated Mediation Model of Ego-Resiliency and Work-Meaning Cognition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 14730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214730
Wang, R., Zhou, H., & Wang, L. (2022). The influence of psychological capital and social capital on the entrepreneurial performance of the new generation of entrepreneurs. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.832682
Wang, X., You, X., Wang, H., Wang, B., Lai, W., & Su, N. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: mediation of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and moderating model of psychological capital. Sustainability, 15(3), 2562. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032562
Wardana, L. W., Martha, J. A., Wati, A. P., Narmaditya, B. S., Setyawati, A., Maula, F. I., & Suparno, S. (2024). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy really matter for entrepreneurial intention? lesson from covid-19. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2024.2317231
Wen, Y., Chen, H., Pang, L., & Gu, X. (2020). The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy of Chinese Vocational College Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4511. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124511
Published
2025-08-21
How to Cite
Agustino, L., Muhammad Nawawi, & Muhammad Ridhoni. (2025). Career Readiness and Resilience as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention: The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy among University Students. International Journal of Business and Quality Research, 3(03), 223-247. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijbqr.v3i03.2224
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