Abstract
This research was conducted to explore the role of self-efficacy in promoting students’ intention toward digital entrepreneurship (DE). In the era of rapid digital transformation, DE has become an essential driver of innovation, employment, and economic growth, particularly in developing economies such as Vietnam where the government has prioritized digitalization as part of its national development agenda. Despite these opportunities, young people still face challenges such as inadequate digital literacy, limited access to finance, and lack of quality mentorship. Building on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and a survey of 231 university students, the results reveal that entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) positively influences digital entrepreneurial intention (DEI) through both attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC), and subjective norm (SN) has a positive effect on both self-efficacy and digital entrepreneurial intention. These findings highlight the importance of fostering a supportive social environment and enhancing students’ confidence to effectively encourage digital entrepreneurship among young people. The study contributes by demonstrating how psychological factors interact with social influences in shaping DEI in the context of an emerging economy. It further provides practical implications for universities, incubators, and policymakers in designing programs that strengthen digital competencies and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, thereby supporting the growth of more resilient and sustainable digital entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Keywords: Attitude, Digital Entrepreneurial Intention, Perceived Behavioural Control, Self-Efficacy, Students, Subjective Norm, Vietnam.