Exploring factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of the youth community towards green ICT to encourage environmental sustainability: Evidence from an emerging economy

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have a complex relationship with the environment, with certain positive as well as negative effects. Through a comprehensive examination of the entrepreneurial landscape in the domain of green ICT in Uttar Pradesh, India, the research aims to investigate the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions of the youth community towards green ICT to encourage environmental sustainability. The research shed light on the involved interplay of individual characteristics, social and environmental contexts, and educational and institutional support systems. By employing a comprehensive qualitative study-interview approach combined with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) various factors such as technological innovation, supportive regulatory frameworks (government policies), entrepreneurial resilience, family and social network support, environmental awareness and concern, availability of resources, market demand, and support of academic institutions are identified as the prominent factors which underscore the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurial intentions among the youth community. The findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs alike, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and policies to nurture a vibrant ecosystem of green ICT entrepreneurship, thereby driving sustainable development and environmental conservation.