Understanding Entrepreneurial Intentions among Female University Students: The Role of Self-Efficacy, Resilience, and University Environment

Abstract

This study analyzes the factors associated with entrepreneurial intention among Colombian female university students, focusing on entrepreneurial self-efficacy, resilience, and the perceived university environment within an emerging economy. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Institutional Theory, the research examines how psychological resources and contextual factors are associated with female entrepreneurial intention in Latin America. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with a final sample of 3,183 female university students. The effects were estimated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple linear regression models, incorporating control variables and robust standard errors to correct for heteroskedasticity. The results show that entrepreneurial self-efficacy is the strongest predictor, followed by resilience. Regarding the university environment, there is limited evidence of a positive association, which is only marginally statistically significant (p < 0.10) after applying the robust standard error correction. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening developable psychological resources to foster favorable conditions for the development of female entrepreneurship, while suggesting that the effect of the institutional environment should be interpreted with caution.