Citation

Hassan, Hasliza and Abdelfattah, Fadi and Liew, Tze Wei (2026) Autonomy and Confidence as Catalysts of Digital Entrepreneurial Intentions: Evidence from Youth in Emerging Southeast Asia. In: International Multi-Disciplinary Conference - Integrated Sciences and Technologies, 20-20 December 2025, Ibra, Oman.

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Abstract

This study investigates how autonomy and self-confidence shape digital entrepreneurial intentions among youth in emerging Southeast Asian economies, where digital access is widespread but entrepreneurial uptake remains uneven. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, the research examines the psychological mechanisms driving this gap, focusing on autonomy as a predictor of confidence and confidence as a driver of entrepreneurial intent. Using survey data from 416 young adults in Malaysia and Singapore, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test direct and mediating effects. Results show that autonomy strongly predicts confidence (β = 0.761, p < 0.01), which in turn significantly influences digital entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.558, p < 0.01). Confidence partially mediates the autonomy–intention link (β = 0.425, p < 0.01), with the model explaining 69.6% of variance in intention (R2 = 0.696). These findings extend digital entrepreneurship theory by highlighting internal psychological resources as critical enablers of entrepreneurial action in digitally connected societies. The study offers actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and business ecosystem builders aiming to transform digital readiness into sustainable entrepreneurial ventures.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Autonomy, Self-confidence, Digital entrepreneurship
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD4801-8943 Labor. Work. Working class > HD8045-8943 By region or country
Divisions:	Faculty of Management (FOM)
Depositing User:	Ms Suzilawati Abu Samah
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2026 07:20
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2026 09:21
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/15940

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