CAREER PATHWAYS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: HOW SELF-EFFICACY INFLUENCES ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the relationship between career entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention among vocational high school students, as well as to identify factors supporting the development of entrepreneurship programs in vocational schools. The research method used a quantitative approach with a questionnaire adapted from the entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial self-efficacy scales, involving 276 vocational high school students in Malang City. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Pearson correlation with the assistance of JASP and SPSS software. The results of the study indicate that vocational high school students have a fairly high level of entrepreneurial intention, with behavioral control perception as the most dominant aspect. Career entrepreneurial self-efficacy is also relatively high, particularly in human resource management and business planning. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between career entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention, although other factors also influence this relationship. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening students' self-confidence through integrated entrepreneurship programs, including financial literacy training, mentor guidance, and industry collaboration. This study recommends the development of a more comprehensive entrepreneurship learning model in vocational schools, considering affective aspects, practical skills, and ecosystem support to produce graduates who are ready to become entrepreneurs.
References
Ahmad, M. I. S., Idrus, M. I., & Rijal, S. (2023). The role of education in fostering entrepreneurial spirit in the young generation. Journal of Contemporary Administration and Management (ADMAN), 1(2), 93–100.
Ahmad, N. L., Mohamad Fazil, N. F., & Yusof, R. (2025). The relationship between financial literacy and entrepreneurship spirit with mediating effect of personal financial management. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 33(2).
Alamsyah, J., Herawati, S., Suranta, N., Rochmansya, R., & Toko, G. P. (2024). Integrating financial literacy, sustainability, and industry collaboration in curriculum development (enhancing maritime education). Meteor STIP Marunda, 17(2), 92–101.
Arianto, A., & Masnawati, E. (2024). Analisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi rendahnya minat masyarakat dalam berwirausaha di Indonesia. Prosiding Pengabdian Ekonomi Dan Keuangan Syariah, 2(2), 433–443.
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
Bazan, C., Gaultois, H., Shaikh, A., Gillespie, K., Frederick, S., Amjad, A., … Belal, N. (2020). A systematic literature review of the influence of the university’s environment and support system on the precursors of social entrepreneurial intention of students. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 9(1), 4.
Caliendo, M., Kritikos, A. S., Rodriguez, D., & Stier, C. (2023). Self-efficacy and entrepreneurial performance of start-ups. Small Business Economics, 61(3), 1027–1051.
Chen, G., Jin, Y., Liang, W., & Liu, Y. (2023). Study on the influence of middle school students’ self-efficacy on the willingness to use online learning platform. International Journal of Electrical Engineering & Education, 60(2_suppl), 339–361.
Cui, J., & Bell, R. (2022). Behavioural entrepreneurial mindset: How entrepreneurial education activity impacts entrepreneurial intention and behaviour. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100639.
Desky, A. H. A., Ganefri, G., Yulastri, A., Ta’ali, T., Effendi, H., & Fiandra, Y. A. (2025). Entrepreneurship-based school management model to increase entrepreneurial interest of vocational education students at SMK Negeri 5 Padang. Al Qalam: Jurnal Ilmiah Keagamaan Dan Kemasyarakatan, 19(1), 297–315.
Duong, C. D. (2022). Exploring the link between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: the moderating role of educational fields. Education+ Training, 64(7), 869–891.
Effendy, F., Awalludin, D., Hurriyati, R., Disman, D., Sultan, M. A., Nugraha, S., & Suhono, S. (2021). Dampak pendidikan kewirausahaan terhadap niat wirausaha mahasiswa dengan pendekatan model TPB. Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Journal, 3(3), 195–202.
Fuady, M. N., Ramadan, W., Nurani, M. F., & Pranajaya, S. A. (2024). Empowering students through increasing santriprenuer knowledge. Amalee: Indonesian Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 5(2), 543–554.
Garaika, G., Margahana, H. M., & Negara, S. T. (2019). Self efficacy, self personality and self confidence on entrepreneurial intention: study on young enterprises. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(1), 1–12.
Guo, T., & Kiratikarnkul, S. (2024). The Influence of digital marketing literacy and self-efficacy on the intention to be an e-commerce entrepreneur.
Hu, B., Zheng, Q., Wu, J., Tang, Z., Zhu, J., Wu, S., & Ling, Y. (2021). Role of education and mentorship in entrepreneurial behavior: Mediating role of self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 775227.
Janna, S. A. N., & El Muna, N. (2025). Pengembangan jiwa entrepreneurship pada siswa menengah kejuruan melalui proyek based learning di SMKN 2 Jombang. QOSIM: Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial & Humaniora, 3(3), 1081–1090.
Jena, D. S. (2024). Future of vocational education in india: nurturing entrepreneurial talents and bridging employability gaps.
Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. (2009). Development and cross–cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593–617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00318.x
Lubis, P. (2024). Analysis human resource development management to improve learning quality in vocational schools. Anshara Internasional Journal of Education and Science (AIJoES), 1(1), 1–7.
Lussier, R. N., & Hendon, J. R. (2025). Human resource management: Functions, applications, and skill development. Sage publications.
Mack, A., & Honig, B. (2024). Comparing factors influencing entrepreneurial self-efficacy between vocational and academic post-secondary students. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 7(4), 494–528.
Maheshwari, G., & Kha, K. L. (2022). Investigating the relationship between educational support and entrepreneurial intention in Vietnam: The mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the theory of planned behavior. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100553.
Majeed, A., Ghumman, A. R., Abbas, Q., & Ahmad, Z. (2021). Role of entrepreneurial passion between entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention: measuring the entrepreneurial behavior of Pakistani students. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences (PJCSS), 15(3), 636–662.
McGee, J. E., Peterson, M., Mueller, S. L., & Sequeira, J. M. (2009). Entrepreneurial self–efficacy: Refining the measure. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(4), 965–988.
Mohammed, F. S., & Ozdamli, F. (2024). A systematic literature review of soft skills in information technology education. Behavioral Sciences, 14(10), 894.
Nurdina, H., Martono, T., & Sangka, K. B. (2019). Tantangan dan peluang sekolah menengah kejuruan melalui pendidikan kewirausahaan dalam menghadapi era digital. Surya Edunomics, 3(1), 22–34.
Osorio, A. E., Settles, A., & Shen, T. (2017). Does family support matter? The influence of support factors on entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions of college students. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 23(1), 24–43.
Oulhou, H., & Ibourk, A. (2023). Perceived effectiveness of entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention among Moroccan university students: A correlational study. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100719.
Pereyra, M., Aboal, D., & Rovira, F. (2021). How effective are training and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs at promoting entrepreneurial activity? An impact evaluation. SN Business & Economics, 1(7), 97.
Prasetyo, P. E., Setyadharma, A., & Kistanti, N. R. (2020). Social Capital: The main determinant of MSME entrepreneurship competitiveness. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 9(3), 6627–6637.
Ratna, P., Rahman, S. A., Hopid, H., & Santoso, R. (2024). Peningkatan minat berwirausaha bagi siswa smkn i kalianget dengan pelatihan dan pendampingan shopee affiliate program. ABDINA: Jurnal Sosial Dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 3(2).
Robson, C., & Langdridge, D. (2002). The analysis of quantitative data. Real World Research, 391–454.
Rusu, V. D., Roman, A., & Tudose, M. B. (2022). Determinants of entrepreneurial intentions of youth: the role of access to finance. Engineering Economics, 33(1), 86–102.
Safitri, F. S. A., & Sutadji, E. (2025). Strategi pengembangan kompetensi lulusan pendidikan kejuruan guna meningkatkan daya saing global. Didaktika: Jurnal Kependidikan, 14(1 Februari), 1507–1522.
Vamvaka, V., Stoforos, C., Palaskas, T., & Botsaris, C. (2020). Attitude toward entrepreneurship, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention: dimensionality, structural relationships, and gender differences. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 9(1), 5.
Zichella, G., & Reichstein, T. (2023). Students of entrepreneurship: Sorting, risk behaviour and implications for entrepreneurship programmes. Management Learning, 54(5), 727–752.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Rafli, IM Hambali, Muslihati Muslihati

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.


