The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Motivation in the Relationship between Income Expectation, Social Capital, and Entrepreneurial Readiness: Evidence from Indonesian Vocational High School Students

Authors

  • Nur Khofifah Tanjung Universitas Jambi, Indonesia
  • Muazza Universitas Jambi, Indonesia
  • Mayasari Universitas Jambi, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v12i3.21753

Keywords:

Income Expectation, Social Capital, Entrepreneurial Motivation, Entrepreneurial Readiness

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of entrepreneurial motivation in the relationships between income expectations, social capital, and entrepreneurial readiness among eleventh-grade students at public vocational high schools (SMKNs) in Jambi City. A quantitative explanatory design with a cross-sectional survey approach was employed. The population comprised 2,745 eleventh-grade students enrolled in public vocational high schools in Jambi City, from which 349 respondents were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 4. The results indicate that income expectations, social capital, entrepreneurial motivation, and entrepreneurial readiness were generally rated at a good level. Income expectations had positive and significant effects on entrepreneurial readiness (β = 0.293, t = 7.178, p < .001) and entrepreneurial motivation (β = 0.510, t = 13.922, p < .001). Social capital also had positive and significant effects on entrepreneurial readiness (β = 0.389, t = 8.974, p < .001) and entrepreneurial motivation (β = 0.445, t = 11.554, p < .001), while entrepreneurial motivation had a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial readiness (β = 0.321, t = 5.831, p < .001). Entrepreneurial motivation partially mediated the relationships of income expectations and social capital with entrepreneurial readiness. These findings suggest that vocational education policies, entrepreneurship curriculum design, and school-based mentoring programs should be aligned to strengthen students’ financial literacy and expand access to entrepreneurial social networks, thereby better preparing SMK graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers.

References

Ahmed, Y. A., Ahmed, H. M. S., James, A. L., Rao, T. N., Haso, A. A., & Asmare, H. M. (2026). Effects of financial literacy on entrepreneurial intention among higher education students. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-026-00638-5

Ajzen, I. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2(4), 314–324.

Alfan, M., & Andriansyah, E. H. (2022). Impact of Income Expectations, Family Environment on Entrepreneurial Interests with Self-Efficacy as an Intervening Variable. Prisma Sains : Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu Dan Pembelajaran Matematika Dan IPA IKIP Mataram, 10(3), 598. https://doi.org/10.33394/j-ps.v10i3.5218

Arifah, S., Subiyantari, A. R., Iriani, T., & Ariyanto, S. R. (2026). Mapping Research Trends on Entrepreneurial Readiness in Vocational Education : Implications for Indonesia ( 2020 – 2025 ). 13(2), 586–602.

Effendi, N., Ophiyandri, T., Miko, A., Hardana, A., Islam, U., Syekh, N., Hasan, A., Addary, A., Lawas, P., Andalas, U., Insani, M., & Sosial, M. (2024). Pengaruh Modal Sosial Dan Modal. Jurnal Masharif Al-Syariah: Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Perbankan Syariah, 9(204), 3424–3444.

Elpisah, E. (2024). Indonesian Higher Educa-tion’s Entrepreneurial Cur-riculum: A Literature Review Suarlin Suarlin Latang Latang. The Journal of Education Culture and Society. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5125-425X

Fatoki, O. (2014). An examination of the teaching methods for entrepreneurship at a South African university. Mediterranean Journal Os Social Sciences, 5.

Fukuyama, F. (1995). Trust: The social virtues and the creation of prosperity. Free Press.

Future, E., The, V., Excellences, E., Manase, A., Syam, A., Sikar, M. A., & Makassar, U. N. (2026). Proceeding Book of International Conference on Association of Indonesian Entrepreneurship Study Programs The 4 th APSKI International Conference 2026 Analysis of the Role of Entrepreneurship Learning and Social Capital in Influencing the Entrepreneurial Interest of State Vocational High School Students in Gowa Regency.

Goeltom, A. D. L., Susanto, E., Masatip, A., Widjaja, H. R., & Muhtasom, A. (2025). GROWTH Framework: A Model for Human Capital Development in Tourism Through Vocational Higher Education. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Management, 3(2), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.58229/jthtm.v3i2.412

Hidayah, E. N., Yohana, C., & Zakiah, R. (2026). Pengaruh Income Expectation, Entrepreneurial Knowledge, dan Digital Competencies terhadap Entrepreneurial Intention Gen Z. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Dan Manajemen Indonesia, 2(2), 3629–3647.

Isbah, M. F., Indonesia, A. B. P. E. N., Suwandi, M. A., Rahmawati, D., Fitramadhana, R., Savitri, R., Ariansyah, K., Cahyarini, B. R., Ahad, M. P. Y., Aswin, A., & Listanto, V. (2025). Vocational education and skills development for new economies in Indonesia: uneasy parallel challenges. Asian Education and Development Studies, 15(2), 274–287. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-09-2025-0461

Isma, A., Hajar Dewantara, Andi Naila Quin Azisah Alisyahbana, Salim Diarra, & Soussou Raharimalala. (2024). Exploring the Role of Social Capital, Managerial Skills, and Technological Literacy in Shaping Entrepreneurial Interest through Entrepreneurial Motivation. Quantitative Economics and Management Studies, 5(6), 1285–1298. https://doi.org/10.35877/454ri.qems3691

Junaidi, J., Anwar, S. M., & Sahrir, S. (2023). The role of religion and social capital on entrepreneurship self-efficacy and motivation among students in Indonesia. Cogent Business and Management, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2265091

Kang, G. L., Park, C. W., & Jang, S. H. (2024). A Study on the Impact of Financial Literacy and Digital Capabilities on Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurship. Behavioral Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020121

Kuswanto, K., Tarigan, D. B., & Nasori, A. (2023). the Influence of Learning Motivation and Income Expectations on Student Interest in Entrepreneurship. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 11(1), 120–131. https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v11i1.192

Mahanani, T., Marwanti, M., Sukardi, T., Munif, N., & Wati, I. W. K. (2025). Unlocking the potential for 21st century learning media to increase student work readiness in vocational education-culinary art. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025163

Mahfud, T., Bruri, M., Sudira, P., & Mulyani, Y. (2020). The influence of social capital and entrepreneurial attitude orientation on entrepreneurial intentions : the mediating role of psychological capital. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 26(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2019.12.005

Maradiaga-López, J., Álvarez, O., & Osorto, H. (2026). Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention Among University Students: The Mediating Roles of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Motivation. Sustainability (Switzerland), 18(8), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083985

Miranda Sumaila, Radia Hafid, Maya Novrita Dama, Meyko Panigoro, & Ririend Koniyo. (2025). The Influence of Entrepreneurship Learning on Students’ Entrepreneurial Interest. LITERACY : International Scientific Journals of Social, Education, Humanities, 4(2), 219–225. https://doi.org/10.56910/literacy.v4i2.2410

Pham, M., Lam, B. Q., & Le, V. P. T. (2023). The e-entrepreneurial intention of students: The role of self-efficacy and education. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 11(1), 127–143. https://doi.org/10.15678/EBER.2023.110107

Simanjuntak, T. A. R., & Selvia Agusti, I. S. (2025). The Influence of Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Career Planning on the Work Readiness of Digital Business XI Students. Economic: Journal Economic and Business, 4(3), 525–532.

Sujatmiko, H., Nasution, I., Wiyono, G., Lestari, A. S., & Suharto, F. N. (2025). Exploring social entrepreneurship literacy: perspectives from students and teachers in an Indonesian vocational boarding school. Qualitative Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-07-2024-0158

Suseno, B. D., Hidayat, R., & Rachman, A. (2026). Entrepreneurial Readiness Among Business School Students : A Systematic Review. 3(2), 169–178. https://doi.org/10.71141/30485037/V3I2P120

Wahyuningsih, R., Joyoatmojo, S., Wardani, D. K., & Noviani, L. (2025). Work-Integrated Learning to Improve Work Readiness of Vocational Education in School and Madrasah. Munaddhomah, 6(4), 586–602. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i4.1928

Wu, L., Jiang, S., Wang, X., Yu, L., Wang, Y., & Pan, H. (2022). Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions of College Students: The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and the Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Competition Experience. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(January). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.727826

Wulandari, N. D. (2026). Financial Literacy and Human Capital Readiness among Vocational Students in Yogyakarta. INKUBIS: Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 8(2), 973–988.

Yuliani, A. T. (2018). Analisis Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kesiapan Berwirausaha. Analisis Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kesiapan Berwirausaha, 6(2), 122.

Zhang, Z., Abdullah, H., Ghazali, A. H. A., D’Silva, J. L., Ismail, I. A., & Huang, Z. (2025). Family capital and entrepreneurial intentions of vocational undergraduates: the chain mediating role of social support and critical thinking. Frontiers in Education, 10(April), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1462419

Zhao, J., & Li, T. (2021). Social Capital, Financial Literacy, and Rural Household Entrepreneurship: A Mediating Effect Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(August), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724605

Published

2026-09-07

How to Cite

Tanjung, N. K., Muazza, & Mayasari. (2026). The Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Motivation in the Relationship between Income Expectation, Social Capital, and Entrepreneurial Readiness: Evidence from Indonesian Vocational High School Students. Jurnal Kependidikan : Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v12i3.21753

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): September (IN PRESS)

Section

Articles

Citation Check

License

Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

License and Publishing Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:

  • They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
  • The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
  • That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
  • That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities tacitly or explicitly of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
  • They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
  • They agree to the following license and publishing agreement.

Copyright
Authors who publish with JK agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

Licensing for Data Publication

JK use a variety of waivers and licenses, that are specifically designed for and appropriate for the treatment of data:
Other data publishing licenses may be allowed as exceptions (subject to approval by the editor on a case-by-case basis) and should be justified with a written statement from the author, which will be published with the article.

 

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.