Modelling Entrepreneurial Intention in Informal Economies: A PLS-SEM Approach to Technological Competence, Economic Necessity, and Opportunity Recognition Among Malaysian Housewives

The increasing attention toward women’s entrepreneurship has not fully addressed the unique challenges faced by housewives in developing entrepreneurial intentions. While various support initiatives have emerged, the role of digital capability and internal motivation in fostering such intentions remains underexplored. This study investigates the effect of technological competence on entrepreneurial intention among housewives, with economic necessity and opportunity recognition as mediating variables. A total of 410 responses were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that technological competence has a significant direct effect on entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, both mediators, economic necessity and opportunity recognition exert significant mediating effects, with opportunity recognition demonstrating a comparatively stronger influence. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial motivation among the overlooked groups of housewives and highlight the dual influence of necessity-driven and opportunity-driven triggers. The study offers practical implications for entrepreneurship programs, digital empowerment policies, and household-level economic strategies aimed at promoting inclusive entrepreneurship. JEL Classification J15, J16, J46, 053,