Can Universities Be the Launchpads for a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Revolution?

Abstract

In recent years, university ecosystems have assumed an increasingly significant role in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship, particularly in India. This study attempts to examine how university ecosystems shape students’ intentions towards sustainable entrepreneurship by addressing the integration of institutional and individual level determinants. Although entrepreneurship education has been widely examined, a comprehensive understanding of how university sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial climate interact with students’ cognitive perceptions remains insufficiently developed. Accordingly, this study proposes and empirically tests an integrated framework that captures the interplay between university sustainability orientation, entrepreneurial climate, perceived barriers and risks, and awareness of adverse consequences. A quantitative research design was employed. Primary data were collected from 427 students across 25 higher education institutions in the Delhi–NCR region. To ensure data reliability and structured administration, an external research agency, Gen Next, was engaged for survey deployment and data collection. Regression analysis using STATA was utilised to examine both direct relationships and mediating effects within the proposed model. The findings indicate that university sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial climate exert a significant positive influence on students’ sustainable entrepreneurial intentions. However, these relationships are partially mediated by perceived barriers, perceived risks, and awareness of adverse consequences, underscoring the importance of cognitive evaluation in translating institutional support into entrepreneurial intent. The study contributes by integrating institutional ecosystem factors with individual cognition, highlighting implications for universities and policymakers to reduce barriers and strengthen sustainability-driven entrepreneurial outcomes.