Author(s): Allan Villegas-Mateos, Wolfgang Amann
This study examines the impact of University-Based Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (UBEEs) on students' entrepreneurial intentions, emphasizing the interaction between institutional ecosystems and individual entrepreneurial traits. Utilizing data from the 2023 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS), which includes responses from 155,792 university students across various disciplines, this research evaluates how UBEEs and students’ individual traits influence their entrepreneurial intentions. The findings reveal that UBEEs significantly enhance students' entrepreneurial intentions, with business students demonstrating higher entrepreneurial propensities than their peers in other disciplines. Furthermore, while individual traits positively influence entrepreneurial intention across all fields, their effect is more pronounced among business students. Statistical analyses confirm that a supportive UBEE fosters entrepreneurial intentions by providing access to resources, mentorship, and an entrepreneurial culture. The study also highlights disparities between business schools and other disciplines in fostering entrepreneurial intentions. It validates the need for UBEEs and the development of individual traits to co-exist inclusively rather than be treated as exclusive variables. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on the role of higher education institutions in preparing students for entrepreneurial careers and have critical implications for university administrators, policymakers, and educators aiming to cultivate entrepreneurship through curriculum development and institutional support. By integrating entrepreneurship into diverse academic fields, universities can better align with innovation-driven societal and economic needs