Transitioning from entrepreneurial intention to actual behaviour: The role of commitment and locus of control

Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is an important element in entrepreneurship, as it influences actual behaviour. Nevertheless, there are concerns that EI may not translate to behaviour, resulting in an EI–action gap, suggesting the need to explore factors that moderate this relationship. The current study tested the relationship between EI and actual behaviour among undergraduate university students. Additionally, the study evaluated whether commitment and internal locus of control moderate the relationship between EI and actual behaviour among university students. A quantitative research method was adopted and data were collected using a questionnaire in two phases. A sample of 500 undergraduate university students from a South African university was drawn using the convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using SMART PLS version 3 software. The findings showed that EI is a significant determinant of actual behaviour. Furthermore, the findings showed that commitment and internal locus of control positively moderate the relationship between EI and actual behaviour. The current findings extend the existing literature by demonstrating that commitment and internal locus of control provide favourable boundary conditions required for students to transition from EI to actual behaviour. The study culminates with practical implications for students, academics, and policymakers.