Entrepreneurial Intention, Risk Tolerance, and Business Idea Development among University Students: A PLS-SEM Model

Espinoza-Gamboa E.N.; De la Vega R.S.; Janampa-Acuña N.; Oyola-Sotomayor M.; Vizcarra-Quiñones A.M.; Hernández-Arias F.C. · Psiquemag (2026) · DOI: 10.18050/psiquemag.v15i1.4297

Resumen

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial intention, risk tolerance and the development of business ideas in young Peruvians during the year 2026. A quantitative research was developed, of non-experimental design and cross-section, with a sample of 275 young people between 18 and 29 years old selected by non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. The Entrepreneurial Behavior Scale (EBS), the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking Scale (DOSPERT) and the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) were applied. The analysis was performed by modeling structural equations with partial least squares (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4.1.2, evaluating convergent, discriminant validity and the structural model through trajectory coefficients and bootstrapping. The results showed that the entrepreneurial intention behavior (β = 0.719; p <.001) and risk tolerance (β = 0.804; p < .001) positively and significantly influenced the development of business ideas, highlighting risk tolerance as the strongest predictor. It was concluded that both variables constituted key factors to strengthen the structuring and viability of youth entrepreneurial initiatives.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal