Bridging the gap between intention and action: how procrastination alters entrepreneurial intention among university students?

Purpose The Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS) reveals a striking paradox: while over 50% of university students globally have entrepreneurial ambitions, fewer than 10% take tangible steps towards achieving these goals. A significant factor contributing to this gap is procrastination, a pervasive issue among university students. It has been identified as a major barrier to both academic and entrepreneurial success. Most university students in emerging economies have great intentions of venturing into entrepreneurial activities, but they often struggle to get started due to procrastination. This study investigates the phenomenon of procrastination and its impact on entrepreneurial intention and action. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a phenomenological approach whereby the data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and reflective journals among the undergraduate university students. The sample size was 15, and the respondents were selected through judgmental or purposive sampling. The Atlas.ti software was used to analyse and interpret the data and identify and extract the main patterns and themes through a thematic analysis. Findings The overall results highlight the negative impact of procrastination on entrepreneurial activity because it influences decision-making, cognition, and productivity. The research proposes institutional interventions, such as mentorship, entrepreneurship training and incubation, to deal with procrastination and co-create student entrepreneurship. Originality/value The theoretical contributions of the research consist of the broadening of knowledge about the influence of procrastination in the translation of entrepreneurial intentions into action. In practice, it provides practical solutions to students, institutions and policymakers to alleviate the problem of procrastination and encourage entrepreneurial behaviour.