From exposure to innovation: Role model effects, AI exposure and digital entrepreneurial intentions among university students in an emerging economy
1 Department of Accounting, Business Administration and Economics, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Delta State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Business Entrepreneurship and Executive Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Augustine Nwaonye OKOLOBI Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3184-5751,
Olumide GBENGA-JULIUS Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9390-0603,
Review
International Journal of Scholarly Research in Science and Technology, 2026, 07(01), 001-014.
Article DOI: 10.56781/ijsrst.2026.7.1.0023
Publication history:
Received on 09 April 2026; revised on 17 May 2026; accepted on 19 May 2026
Abstract:
Purpose: Growing graduate unemployment in the emerging world has sparked new attention on digital entrepreneurship as an alternative means through which to innovate and engage in the economy. Meanwhile, AI technologies are transforming entrepreneurial learning, creativity, and opportunity recognition of university students. This research investigated the impact of role model effects and AI exposure on digital entrepreneurial intention of Nigerian university students.
Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was employed. 400 students were sampled from the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan, Delta State University and Dennis Osadebay University. Data analyses were performed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings: AI exposure had a strong impact on digital entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.397, p < 0.001) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.429, p < 0.001) and role model effect also positively predict digital entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.281, p < 0.001). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy also served as a mediator between the independent variables and the digital entrepreneurial intention, and institutional innovation support amplified entrepreneurial intention. The model accounted for 64.1% of the variance in digital entrepreneurial intention.
Practical Implications/Originality: The study highlights the relevance of AI-literacy, entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation-focused university support in the context of developing countries for sustainable youth entrepreneurship development.
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence Exposure; Digital Entrepreneurial Intention; Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy; Role Model Effects; Institutional Innovation Support; University Students; Nigeria
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Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0