The crisis effect in TPB as a moderator for post-pandemic entrepreneurial intentions among higher education students: PLS-SEM and ANN approach

This research examines college students' entrepreneurial inclinations using TPB, self-efficacy, and the crisis effect. It also examines the crisis effect's moderating influence post-pandemic. A unique analytical technique using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used to evaluate the model's resilience. 310 Indian university students were surveyed online. Self-efficacy is a crucial predictor of entrepreneurial tendencies among higher education students. ANN analysis confirms SEM findings that self-efficacy and perceived behaviour control shape entrepreneurial desires. Despite its negative impact, the crisis effect doesn't appear to affect entrepreneurs' objectives. The crisis impact moderates all exogenous and endogenous factors except subjective norms and entrepreneurial goals, the research finds. The research also shows that students' education and geography affect their entrepreneurial inclinations. Gender, however, has little control. Policymakers and higher education administrators could boost entrepreneurial ambitions by fostering students' self-efficacy and perceived behaviour control. Understanding these elements allows higher education stakeholders to create targeted interventions and support systems to foster college student entrepreneurship.