The Impact of Social Capital on the Intentions and Decisions to Start a Business of Economics Students in Ho Chi Minh City

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-624-1_26How to use a DOI?

Keywords

digital transformation; entrepreneurial decision; entrepreneurial intention; higher education; Ho Chi Minh city; social capital

Abstract

This research investigates the complex relationship between social capital and the entrepreneurial intentions of economics students in Ho Chi Minh City, a context increasingly defined by the pervasive influence of digital transformation. As digital shifts fundamentally alter how social networks are formed, maintained, and leveraged, understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering future innovation. Primary data were systematically gathered from a robust sample of 400 students to ensure the reliability of statistical inferences. The methodology employed a rigorous analytical sequence, beginning with Cronbach's Alpha for scale reliability, followed by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the measurement model. Finally, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to test the causal relationships within the proposed theoretical framework. The empirical findings demonstrate that multiple dimensions of social capital—specifically cognitive, relational, structural, and financial capital—exert a significant and positive influence on students' propensity toward entrepreneurship. Notably, the study identifies digital platforms and the university educational environment as vital moderating variables. These factors significantly amplify the positive impact of social capital determinants by enhancing connectivity and streamlining access to critical startup resources. Based on these results, the research concludes by proposing actionable managerial and policy recommendations. These insights aim to assist educational institutions and local authorities in cultivating a resilient social capital framework, thereby fostering a more vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem among economics students within the rapidly evolving landscape of Ho Chi Minh City.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Tran Xuan Hoang Hai
AU  - Dang Tran Kha
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/04/06
TI  - The Impact of Social Capital on the Intentions and Decisions to Start a Business of Economics Students in Ho Chi Minh City
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Economics and Finance in the Digital Business Transformation (INCOSEF 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 356
EP  - 365
SN  - 2352-5428
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-624-1_26
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-624-1_26
ID  - Hai2026
ER  -