“When youth take lead” youth engagement in fostering entrepreneurship in cottage industries

Engagement of youth in cottage industries is crucial for their preservation and for promoting entrepreneurial initiatives. This research investigates the influence of social perception, familial impact, training programs, and technological advancements on youth participation, with cultural identity functioning as both an intermediary and an antecedent. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire administered to 323 participants and analyzed utilizing SmartPLS. The findings suggest that cultural identity mediates the relationships between social and familial influences, training, institutional support, technological modernization, and youth entrepreneurship in cottage industries. The study advances social cognitive theory and entrepreneurship development theory by combining social, institutional, and technological facilitators with cultural identity, providing a theoretical framework that situates youth entrepreneurship within sociocultural and heritage contexts. Results highlight the importance of designing culturally integrated training, family and community support initiatives, and modernization strategies to preserve cultural heritage while promoting youth engagement in sustainable cottage industries.