Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention among Fisheries Students in Kerala: Evidence from a Primary Quantitative Survey Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The objective of this research is to identify the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among students of fisheries and allied programmes in Kerala using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) after extending it with entrepreneurship awareness and perceived government support. This research employed a primary cross-sectional survey conducted on 424 fisheries and allied students, which was analyzed through various quantitative techniques that include reliability analysis, Pearson correlations, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), and bootstrapped indirect-effect tests. Results reveal that all six multi-item constructs display acceptable to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .798–.914). There is a positive and significant correlation for entrepreneurial intention. Of the correlates, perceived behavioural control (PBC) has the highest bivariate correlation (r = .658), followed by attitude (r = .614), awareness (r = .562), government support (r = .534), and subjective norms (r = .498). Measurement model provides a good fit (χ²/df = 2.41, CFI = .941, TLI = .927, RMSEA = .049, SRMR = .042). According to the structural model, there is the strongest direct effect of PBC on entrepreneurial intention (β = .34, p < .001). This is followed by attitude (β = .29), awareness (β = .24), government support (β = .21), and subjective norms (β = .18), all p < .001. The value of the model indicates 57.9% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention (R² = .579; adjusted R² = .574). The results in terms of awareness further showed that it has indirect effects on PBC (β = .17, p < .001) and government support (β = .11, p = .004). The study adapts the original TPB for a special fisheries-students population by incorporating the psychological, cognitive, social, and institutional variables into a single model. Entrepreneurship education for fisheries students should move beyond awareness creation and strengthen perceived capability through experiential learning, venture planning, financial literacy, incubation, mentoring, and more accessible institutional support.