Abstract

This conceptual paper proposes a transdisciplinary framework to facilitate the transformation from knowledge to enterprise among social science and pure science graduates by positioning entrepreneurial engagement as a strategic pathway for human empowerment and progressive societal development. While grounded in the Malaysian higher education context, the framework is conceptualized to be adaptable across diverse national and institutional settings. Anchored in the Theory of Planned Behavior that explains how entrepreneurial intention and subsequent engagement are shaped by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. These psychological foundations are further strengthened through curriculum innovation, institutional support mechanisms, mentorship initiatives, and systematic exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems. The framework responds to persistent global challenges surrounding graduate employability, skills mismatch, and the underutilization of scientific and social knowledge. By integrating transdisciplinary learning with established behavioral theory, the paper advances conceptual scholarship by extending the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior into a transdisciplinary entrepreneurial engagement domain. It highlights the importance of coordinated educational and institutional arrangements in nurturing empowered graduates capable of translating knowledge into meaningful enterprise. The paper concludes by outlining practical implications for higher education stakeholders and directions for future empirical validation.

References

Ajzen, Icek, ‘The Theory of Planned Behavior’, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50 (1991), 179–211 <https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T>

Audretsch, David B, James A Cunningham, Donald F Kuratko, Erik E Lehmann and Matthias Menter, ‘Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Economic, Technological, and Societal Impacts’, The Journal of Technology Transfer, 44 (2019), 313–25 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-018-9690-4>

Basir, Nora Mohd, Yong Zulina Zubairi, Rohana Jani and Diana Abdul Wahab, ‘Habilidades Blandas y Empleabilidad de Los Graduados: Evidencia Del Estudio de Seguimiento de Malasia’, Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 30 (2022), 1975–89

Bazkiaei, Hanieh Alipour, Noor Ullah Khan, Ateeq-ur-Rehman Irshad and Adeel Ahmed, ‘Pathways toward Entrepreneurial Intention among Malaysian Universities’ Students’, Business Process Management Journal, 27 (2021), 1009–32 <https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-01-2021-0021>

Bustamam, Ummi Salwa Ahmad, Mahazan Abdul Mutalib and Siti Nubailah Mohd Yusof, ‘Graduate Employability through Entrepreneurship: A Case Study at USIM’, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 211 (2015), 1117–21 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.11.149>

Dong, Shixue and Yuancheng Chang, ‘The Theory of Planned Behavior Explored in Entrepreneurial Intentions among University Students in Shandong Province, China’, Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8 (2024), 7186 <https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i10.7186>

Eimer, Andreas and Carla Bohndick, ‘Employability Models for Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review and Analysis’, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8 (2023), 100588 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100588>

Eltanahy, Marwa and Nasser Mansour, ‘Developing a Rubric for Assessing Students’ Competencies in Entrepreneurial-STEM Learning Context’, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 62 (2025), 249–65 <https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2024.2311701>

Esangbedo, Caroline Olufunke, Jingxiao Zhang, Moses Olabhele Esangbedo, Seydou Dramane Kone and Lin Xu, ‘The Role of Industry-Academia Collaboration in Enhancing Educational Opportunities and Outcomes under the Digital Driven Industry 4.0’, Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8 (2023), 2569 <https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i1.2569>

Guzmán Sánchez-Mejorada, Carlos, Miguel Torres-Ruiz, Rolando Quintero, Kwok Tai Chui and Giovanni Guzmán, ‘Industry 4.0 Skills Assessment: A Case Study of Students’ Perceptions in Computer Science Postgraduate Programs’, Sustainability, 17 (2025), 4974 <https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114974>

Hayter, Christopher S, Andrew J Nelson, Stephanie Zayed and Alan C O’Connor, ‘Conceptualizing Academic Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: A Review, Analysis and Extension of the Literature’, The Journal of Technology Transfer, 43 (2018), 1039–82 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-018-9657-5>

Helsen, Zoë, Nadine Lybaert, Tensie Steijvers, Raf Orens and Julie Dekker, ‘Management Control Systems In Family Firms: A Review Of The Literature And Directions For The Future’, Journal of Economic Surveys, 31 (2017), 410–35 <https://doi.org/10.1111/joes.12154>

Huang, Yangjie, Yue Yuan, Weicheng Sun and Ping Li, ‘From Classroom to Workplace: How Entrepreneurship Education Influences University Students’ Employability’, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12 (2025), 1108 <https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05316-7>

Islam, Muhammad Rofiqul and Abdullah Al Mehdi, ‘Bridging Climate Awareness and Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Conceptual Framework Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior’, International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 3 (2024), 266–75 <https://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/irjems-v3i7p129>

Jackson, Denise, ‘Employability Skill Development in Work-Integrated Learning: Barriers and Best Practice’, Studies in Higher Education, 40 (2015), 350–67 <https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2013.842221>

Jekauc, Darko, Manuel C Voelkle, Marco Giurgiu and Claudio R Nigg, ‘Unveiling the Multidimensional Nature of the Intention–Behavior Gap’, European Journal of Health Psychology, 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000162>

Kamalbatcha, Zainebbeevi, Zaharul Nizal Zabidi, Norlidawahi Wahab and Noor Muthmainnah Hamdul Hadi, ‘Empowering Future Entrepreneurs: Investigating University Students’ Intentions in Entrepreneurship’, International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12 (2023) <https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v12-i3/19277>

Karaca-Atik, Ayşegül, Marieke Meeuwisse, Marjan Gorgievski and Guus Smeets, ‘Uncovering Important 21st-Century Skills for Sustainable Career Development of Social Sciences Graduates: A Systematic Review’, Educational Research Review, 39 (2023), 100528 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100528>

Killingberg, Nils Magne, Elin Kubberød and Inger Beate Pettersen, ‘Exploring the Transition to Working Life of Entrepreneurship Education Graduates: A Longitudinal Study’, Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 6 (2023), 331–58 <https://doi.org/10.1177/25151274221108354>

Liñán, Francisco and Alain Fayolle, ‘A Systematic Literature Review on Entrepreneurial Intentions: Citation, Thematic Analyses, and Research Agenda’, International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11 (2015), 907–33 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0356-5>

Linton, Jonathan D, ‘Letter from Kyoto a Call for Research in Science, Technology, and Society’, Technovation, 33 (2013), 101–3 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2013.03.003>

Maheshwari, Greeni, Khanh Linh Kha and Anantha Raj A Arokiasamy, ‘Factors Affecting Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Systematic Review (2005–2022) for Future Directions in Theory and Practice’, Management Review Quarterly, 73 (2023), 1903–70 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-022-00289-2>

Malekshahian, Maryam, Jessica Dautelle and Salman Shahid, ‘Bridging the Skills Gap: Enhancing Employability for Chemical Engineering Graduates’, Education for Chemical Engineers, 52 (2025), 26–36 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2025.04.005>

Moo, Keng Hao and Chang Da Wan, ‘Graduate Employability in Malaysia: Unpacking the Concept, Policy and Practices’, IIUM Journal of Educational Studies, 11 (2023), 3–25 <https://doi.org/10.31436/ijes.v11i2.471>

Morris, Michael H, Galina Shirokova and Tatyana Tsukanova, ‘Student Entrepreneurship and the University Ecosystem: A Multi-Country Empirical Exploration’, European J. of International Management, 11 (2017), 65 <https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIM.2017.081251>

Nabi, Ghulam, Francisco Liñán, Alain Fayolle, Norris Krueger and Andreas Walmsley, ‘The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda’, Academy of Management Learning & Education, 16 (2017), 277–99 <https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2015.0026>

Neneh, Brownhilder Ngek and Obey Dzomonda, ‘Transitioning from Entrepreneurial Intention to Actual Behaviour: The Role of Commitment and Locus of Control’, The International Journal of Management Education, 22 (2024), 100964 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.100964>

Newman, Alexander, Martin Obschonka, Susan Schwarz, Michael Cohen and Ingrid Nielsen, ‘Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy: A Systematic Review of the Literature on Its Theoretical Foundations, Measurement, Antecedents, and Outcomes, and an Agenda for Future Research’, Journal of Vocational Behavior, 110 (2019), 403–19 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.05.012>

Ng, Kok Meng, Philip Tan Hock Guan, Rui Huan Tan and Andrii Kushnarevych, ‘The Hidden Drivers of Youth Unemployment’, International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management, 16 (2025), 1–19 <https://doi.org/10.4018/IJABIM.388564>

Nissan, Edward, Miguel-Angel Galindo and María Teresa Méndez Picazo, ‘Innovation, Progress, Entrepreneurship and Cultural Aspects’, International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8 (2012), 411–20 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-012-0229-0>

Schjoedt, Leon, ‘Entrepreneurial Job Characteristics: An Examination of Their Effect on Entrepreneurial Satisfaction’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33 (2009), 619–44 <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00319.x>

Scholz, Roland W, Jana Zscheischler, Heike Köckler, Reiner Czichos, Klaus-Markus Hofmann and Cornelia Sindermann, ‘Transdisciplinary Knowledge Integration – PART I: Theoretical Foundations and an Organizational Structure’, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 202 (2024), 123281 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123281>

Selamat, Sarah Mardhiah, Asiah Ali, Farrah Nadia Baharuddin, Aini Hayati Musa, Hazira Mohd Nasir and Raja Mayang Delima Mohd Beta, ‘Aligning Academic Curriculum with Industry Demands: Dilemma of Graduates’, International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14 (2025), 1026–31 <https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v14-i3/25926>

Shahriar, Mohammad Shibli, Md Sharif Hassan, Md Aminul Islam, Farid Ahammad Sobhani and Md Touhidul Islam, ‘Entrepreneurial Intention among University Students of a Developing Economy: The Mediating Role of Access to Finance and Entrepreneurship Program’, Cogent Business & Management, 11 (2024) <https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2322021>

Sheeran, Paschal, ‘Intention Behavior Relations: A Conceptual and Empirical Review’, European Review of Social Psychology, 12 (2002), 1–36 <https://doi.org/10.1080/14792772143000003>

Shi, Liangxing, Xinying Yao and Wenqing Wu, ‘Perceived University Support, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Heterogeneous Entrepreneurial Intentions in Entrepreneurship Education’, Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 12 (2019), 205–30 <https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-04-2019-0040>

Shirokova, Galina, Oleksiy Osiyevskyy and Karina Bogatyreva, ‘Exploring the Intention–Behavior Link in Student Entrepreneurship: Moderating Effects of Individual and Environmental Characteristics’, European Management Journal, 34 (2016), 386–99 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2015.12.007>

Succi, Chiara and Magali Canovi, ‘Soft Skills to Enhance Graduate Employability: Comparing Students and Employers’ Perceptions’, Studies in Higher Education, 45 (2020), 1834–47 <https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1585420>

Taatila, Vesa, ‘Paradigm Shift in Higher Education?’, On the Horizon, 25 (2017), 103–8 <https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-06-2016-0030>

Tushar, Hasanuzzaman and Nanta Sooraksa, ‘Global Employability Skills in the 21st Century Workplace: A Semi-Systematic Literature Review’, Heliyon, 9 (2023), e21023 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21023>

Wei, Chao, Simeng Wang, Yang Chen and Yanrong Jiang, ‘A Study on the Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on College Students’ Employability’, Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8 (2023), 1032–35 <https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v8i.4398>

Yang, Wei and Klaus E Meyer, ‘Competitive Dynamics in an Emerging Economy: Competitive Pressures, Resources, and the Speed of Action’, Journal of Business Research, 68 (2015), 1176–85 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.11.012>

Yen, Wendy Teoh Ming, Yuan Yee Yen, Chong Siong Choy, Tee Win Nee and Teoh Ming-Li, ‘Perspectives of Employers on Graduate Employability Skills: A Case of Malaysia’, Asian Development Policy Review, 11 (2023), 229–43 <https://doi.org/10.55493/5008.v11i4.4946>