Entrepreneurial intentions: trust and network ties in online and face-to-face students

Abstract

Purpose Based on Azjen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this paper is to complement the existing body of knowledge on entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) by comparing two different university environments in Spain (online and face-to-face) and their impact on EIs of university students using two components of social capital (SC), trust and network ties as variables with influence on the antecedents of EIs. Design/methodology/approach A survey was administered to online and face-to-face students yielding a total sample of 302 and 204, respectively. Partial least square–structural equation modeling is the technique employed to perform the analysis. Findings SC has a significant influence on EIs in both environments with greater effects online, as a consequence of the mediated role played by network ties between trust and the attitude toward the behavior, the subjective norm and consequently, EIs. Research limitations/implications The authors used a cross-sectional method. However, it would be interesting to obtain longitudinal data to provide a more valid support for the study. Practical implications This study provides insight into the important role played by network ties based on trust in the entrepreneurship process and in the university environment. Originality/value This study contributes to understanding the differential impact of SC (trust and network ties) on the antecedents of EIs between the students enrolled in different university environments using two non-parametric techniques Henseler’s multigroup analysis and the permutation test.

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