Influence of Sense of Belonging on entrepreneurial intentions of university students

This chapter explores the potential role of sense of belonging in influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students in the UK. The propensity of students to engage in entrepreneurial activities is a key determinant of socio-economic change. Drawing on the empirical literature and theory of planned behaviour, a conceptual model has been developed to examine the relationship between sense of belonging and entrepreneurial intentions.
Using the case study approach, we examined the lived experiences of six international students to examine the role of SoB on entrepreneurial intentions. The thematic analysis revealed that a sense of belonging within the academic and social contexts, directly and indirectly (via moderators such as personal attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective or social norms), enhances students' attitude towards entrepreneurship, thereby reinforcing entrepreneurial intentions. The analysis highlights the importance of entrepreneurial education, incorporating inclusive strategies to cultivate a diverse and supportive environment to nurture entrepreneurial mindsets. There is a need to strengthen the transversal skills among the graduates to foster resilience, agility, and mindfulness to overcome barriers and optimise entrepreneurial initiatives.