Evaluating the role of marshalling self-efficacy, psychological resilience and social support in shaping sustainable entrepreneurial intention among students

Abstract

While entrepreneurial self-efficacy is heavily researched, marshalling self-efficacy, a crucial aspect for mobilizing resources, remains understudied. Similarly, while research has examined the relationship between personal resilience and entrepreneurial intention, there is a lack of understanding regarding the connection between these factors and specifically sustainable entrepreneurship among students in South America. This research seeks to gain a deeper insight into the relationship between interpersonal communication skills and key psychological factors that facilitate sustainable business creation, studying the impact of resilience on marshalling self-efficacy and its subsequent effects on social support and sustainable entrepreneurial intention. Data from 404 complete responses of university students from Chile and Ecuador, collected via an online self-report survey, were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings supported that resilience has a significant impact on marshalling self-efficacy, which in turn affects perceived social support and sustainable entrepreneurial intentions. These insights could address the development of university programs aimed at reinforcing the training of prospective sustainable entrepreneurs, by equipping them with the skills to overcome challenges and secure resources. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.