Effect of the University's Environment and Support System on Subjective Social Norms as Precursor of the Entrepreneurial Intention of Students

In this study, we aim to understand the influence of the university's environment and support system (ESS) on subjective social norms (SSN) as one of the precursors of the entrepreneurial intention (El) of university students. For this, we applied a customized mathematical model of El based on the theory of planned behavior to probe whether the university's ESS can affect SSN and analyze the paths that this influence may follow to form the El of students. In other words, this study argues that the university plays a critical dual role in shaping the El of students. First, it can provide support mechanisms to help students translate their ideas into viable business models that may further translate into successful ventures. Second, it can help students gain the support of their families and friends who influence their SSN, thus affecting their El through the mediating effects of the other two precursors of intention. We collected the data from students in a public university in Atlantic Canada via a structured non-disguised questionnaire to test the hypotheses formulated in this study. We analyzed them through partial least square-structural equation modeling of a second-order mathematical model of El. Analysis of the data indicates that the mathematical model is appropriate for evaluating the relations among the five constructs of the mathematical model of El. Results of this study support the hypothesis that the university's ESS may influence students' perceptions of the opinions of important reference people regarding their prospects of becoming entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we determined that the university's ESS influences the El of students mediated by the more proximal precursors of intention. The effect of the university's ESS is such that it may positively impact the El of students, but its importance in the mathematical model of El is still low. These findings can help universities assess their initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.