Digital entrepreneurial intentions in higher education: an SOR approach to understanding student motivation

Purpose This study examines how information-rich stimuli, i.e. digital entrepreneurship education, social media use and regulatory support influence management students' digital entrepreneurial intention through entrepreneurial motivation, with risk-taking propensity as a moderator within the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 306 management students in Indian higher education institutions using a structured survey and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings The findings indicate that digital entrepreneurship education and regulatory support significantly influence students' entrepreneurial motivation, which in turn significantly influences digital entrepreneurial intention. Risk-taking propensity negatively moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and digital entrepreneurial intention. The study offers valuable implications for educators and policymakers aiming to strengthen entrepreneurship education and support systems in emerging economies. Originality/value This study extends the SOR framework through a mechanism-based approach by including information-rich stimuli, entrepreneurial motivation as a central organismic mechanism and risk-taking propensity as a boundary condition.