Does Islamic values matter for Indonesian students’ entrepreneurial intention? The mediating role of entrepreneurial inspiration and attitude

Purpose Stimulating new business creating has been a decisive issue and the Indonesian Government is responding to this issue by providing entrepreneurship programs for Islamic students. This study aims to examine the impact of Islamic values and entrepreneurship education to predict Islamic students’ intention for business, as well as investigates the mediating role of entrepreneurial inspiration and attitudes. Design/methodology/approach The study estimates primary data obtained from a sample of 381 Islamic boarding students in a selected area in Indonesia who incorporated entrepreneurial education and practices. In addition, structural equation modeling has been incorporated to answer the hypotheses raised in the research. Findings The findings strengthen the study of the influence of Islamic values that affects both directly and through inspiration and motivation on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Additionally, it found the direct and indirect influences of entrepreneurship education on intentions for entrepreneurship through inspiration and motivation. Research limitations/implications This study has been cramped to draw a limited geographical area in Indonesia and the research’s implication is used for relevant themes in Islamic entrepreneurship. Practical implications The findings of this research give insights to promote students’ entrepreneurial intention from Islamic schools. Social implications The findings of this study offer a broader knowledge to enhance entrepreneurs through economic education in Islamic boarding schools. Originality/value These results provide insights into the important effects of Islamic values, particularly in the context of Islamic boarding schools. The findings suggest that Islamic values be an important contextual factor for Islamic boarding school students’ entrepreneurial intentions.