Purpose – This study explores the relationship between individual entrepreneurial orientation and digital entrepreneurial intention, focusing on the potential mediating role of digital competencies within the framework of social cognitive theory. Individual entrepreneurial orientation – comprising risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness – is examined in connection with students’ digital competencies and their digital entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach – Our sample comprised 751 Spanish university students who completed a questionnaire including questions on entrepreneurial orientation, digital competencies and digital entrepreneurial intention. The Multiple Mediator Model methodology was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings – The results obtained show that risk-taking and innovativeness significantly support digital entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, all dimensions of individual entrepreneurial orientation were positively related to the development of digital competencies, specifically information, communication, content development and problem-solving. Importantly, the analysis confirmed the mediating effect of the digital competencies – specifically information, digital communication and content creation – in the relationship between individual entrepreneurial orientation and digital entrepreneurial intention. Originality/value – This research contributes to the understanding of digital entrepreneurial intention through the integration of individual entrepreneurial orientation and students’ digital competencies, offering ideas for developing specific educational programmes that foster both individual entrepreneurial orientation and students’ digital competencies. © 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited
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