Relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention in medical library and information science students: an Iranian perspective

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention of students in the field of medical library and information science. Methods: This study quantitatively examined seven hypotheses through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. Using the census method, 79 students of medical library and information science of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were studied. Data was collected using the Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy Questionnaire proposed by De Noble et al. (1999) and the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire presented by the Linan and Chen (2011). Descriptive and inferential data analysis was performed using SPSS and SmartPLS2 software at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that the variable of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the components of initiating investor relationships and developing human resources affect the entrepreneurial intention of students, while the components of Understanding market opportunities, building an innovative environment, defining core purpose, and coping with challenges had no effect on entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial intention of medical library and information science students is positively affected by their entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Greater self- efficacy leads to entrepreneurship. Practical implications: Considering the positive effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on students\u27 entrepreneurial intention, offering training courses to strengthen entrepreneurial behavior in the academic period seems useful. Originality/value: Entrepreneurship helps communities achieve social and economic growth. Entrepreneurial intention is one of the important factors in the occurrence of entrepreneurial behavior in students. Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy is a key factor in shaping and strengthening entrepreneurial intention. Given the increasing number of library and medical information science graduates and the relatively limited job market in this field, it seems useful to examine their entrepreneurial intention and the impact of social factors affecting it. Keywords: Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy, Entrepreneurial Intention, Medical Library and Information scienc