Entrepreneurial Intentions among Business Students in Gandaki Province

Influence of Foundational Factors and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/b2bb1n42

Keywords:

Business students, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, foundational factors

Abstract

In Nepal, entrepreneurship is being advocated as a path to economic resilience and job creation. However, little is known about the psychological processes through which personal characteristics and environmental resources influence entrepreneurial intention. The study examined the influence of three foundational factors on entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial intention (EI), as well as the mediating role of ESE.  The study surveyed 556 final-year undergraduate and graduate business students purposively from higher educational institutions in Gandaki Province, Nepal.  Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0.  The findings revealed that all three foundational factors have a significant influence on ESE and EI. Similarly, ESE mediated the relationship between the foundation factors and EI. The relationship between foundational characteristics and EI is partially mediated by ESE. Practically, the findings offer practical implications for curriculum designers, training program developers, and policymakers seeking to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity among Nepalese business students.

Author Biographies

  • Utpal Poudel, Independent Researcher, Nepal

    Utpal Poudel is an independent researcher from Nepal.  His research interests include behavioral finance and small business management. He has published research articles in Nepalese journals and presented papers at various academic conferences. He is also engaged in share market training and is currently pursuing further studies at the University of Wollongong, Australia.

  • Resam Lal Poudel, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

    Resam Lal Poudel holds an MPhil in Management from Tribhuvan University and serves as an Assistant Professor at Prithvi Narayan Campus, Faculty of Management, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. His research interests include local administration, knowledge management, financial socialization, human resource management, and entrepreneurship. He has published several research articles in academic journals and presented papers at national and international conferences. He has also contributed to research capacity-building initiatives through the successful coordination of various academic workshops.

  • Bhupal Jaishi, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

    Bhupal Jaishi holds an MPhil in Finance and is an Assistant Professor at Prithvi Narayan Campus, Faculty of Management, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He serves as the BBA Director at the campus. His research interests include the stock market, financial performance, insurance, and entrepreneurship. He has published books and numerous research articles in the field of Accounting and Finance and has presented papers at various academic conferences.

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Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Innovation in Academia

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Innovation in Academia

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How to Cite

Entrepreneurial Intentions among Business Students in Gandaki Province: Influence of Foundational Factors and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. (2026). Journal of Innovation in Academia , 5(1), 92-121. https://doi.org/10.32674/b2bb1n42