The influence of online university education on the creation of sustainable businesses

Bibliographic Data

ID22428058
AuthorsPedro Aceituno Aceituno (0000-0001-9034-8673, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), Carlos Humberto Ruiz Freire (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), Shannon Kathleen Jones (Madrid Health Service), María García de Blanes Sebastián (0000-0002-9169-3337, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos)
Year2026
Pages1-17
Publication date2026-05-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Responsibility Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-1117 • E-ISSN: 1758-857X
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/srj-05-2025-0430
OpenAlexW7161641711
LanguageEN
References cited53

Purpose This study aims to analyze the influence of online university education, not only in fostering entrepreneurial intentions but also in the actual creation of sustainable businesses by students, while also considering the contribution of other academic, contextual and personal variables. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative and cross-sectional design was used, using structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess both direct and mediated relationships between online university education and the creation of sustainable businesses. Data were collected from an online Spanish university participating in the international GUESSS project. The sample consisted of 881 students. Findings The study demonstrates the positive impact of online university education, career intentions and level of studies, as well as the significant mediating role of University Climate and Knowledge Branch, highlighting the key role of the online academic environment in sustainable entrepreneurship. Practical implications The findings provide key insights for policies, teaching practices and institutional strategies that promote online educational environments conducive to interdisciplinary and impactful sustainable entrepreneurship, with special attention to the role of University Climate and Knowledge Branch. Social implications The results underscore the importance of promoting interdisciplinary approaches, strengthening sustainable institutional cultures and fostering active learning methodologies to enhance the creation of sustainable businesses. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first to empirically examine the contribution of online university education to the actual creation of sustainable businesses by students, expanding the traditional focus on entrepreneurial intentions.

Higher education · Structural equation modeling · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Sustainable society · University education · E-Learning and Knowledge Management · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Sustainability in Higher Education

Tools

Open DOI