The Role of Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Skills in Developing Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions in Public Universities in Hamedan Province

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to extend the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to more comprehensively explain the formation of students’ digital entrepreneurial intentions.In particular, the extended TPB incorporates two critical constructs, namely entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into the original TPB model.Data were collected from 150 computer science students from four public universities in Hamedan province. The results of regression analysis showed that there was asignificant relationship between motivational factors such as attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control and digital entrepreneurial intentions. Also perceived behavioral control played the strongest role in the determination of digital entrepreneurial intentions.Furthermore, the results illustrated that entrepreneurial knowledge and skills significantly relate to digital entrepreneurial intentions. Based on the knowledge gained in this study, some recommendation were offered for developing entrepreneurial culture, knowledge and skillsin order topromoting digital entrepreneurship.

Keywords

• Digital entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurial intention
• Theory of planned behavior
• Entrepreneurial knowledge
• Entrepreneurial skills
• Computer science students.