Entrepreneurial culture in university students (2015–2025): a PRISMA-based systematic literature review
Keywords:
entrepreneurial culture; entrepreneurial intentions; university students; entrepreneurship education; entrepreneurial mindset; university ecosystem; systematic reviewAbstract
This systematic review examines empirical evidence on entrepreneurial culture among university students published between 2015 and 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The objectives were to identify factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions, analyze the role of education and the university ecosystem, synthesize theoretical frameworks and methodologies, and highlight knowledge gaps and future research directions. A comprehensive search was conducted across four databases (SciSpace, Google Scholar, PubMed, ArXiv) up to March 2026, using English and Spanish terms related to entrepreneurial culture and intentions. Empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2015 and 2025 focusing on university students were included. After removing duplicates, 423 records were identified and screened according to PRISMA protocols. The 28 most relevant studies were selected through AI-assisted ranking for qualitative synthesis. Findings indicate that entrepreneurial education exerts a significant positive effect on intentions, mediated by entrepreneurial mindset and self-efficacy, while the university ecosystem functions as a critical catalyst. The Theory of Planned Behavior emerged as the dominant framework, with surveys and structural equation modeling (SEM) prevailing methodologically. Common limitations included cross-sectional designs and the absence of longitudinal studies. Overall, robust evidence suggests that entrepreneurial culture, education, and institutional support are key determinants of student entrepreneurial intentions. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and cross-cultural approaches, while universities are encouraged to systematically integrate entrepreneurial education and strengthen their ecosystems to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.
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