  Purpose: Understanding the formation of entrepreneurial intentions is
critical, given that it is the first step in the entrepreneurial process.
Although entrepreneurial intention has been extensively studied, little
attention has been paid on the intended timing of future entrepreneurial
projects. This paper analyses entrepreneurial intentions among final-year
university students after graduation in terms of the timeframe to start a
business. Potentially rapid entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-in-waiting were
compared using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methodology: A
variance-based structural equation modelling approach was used for the sample
of 851 final-year university students with entrepreneurial intentions who
participated in GUESSS project. Findings: The results obtained contribute to
the understanding of how entrepreneurial intentions are formed, particularly,
how intended timing plays a moderating role in the relationships of the
variables of the theoretical model of TPB. This study provides empirical
evidence that significant differences exist between potential rapid
entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-in-waiting. Practical implications: The
findings of this study have practical implications for entrepreneurship
education, and they can help policy makers develop more effective policies and
programs to promote entrepreneurship. Originality: Intention-based models have
traditionally examined the intent -- but not the timing -- of new venture
creation. However, the time elapsed between the formation of the
entrepreneurial intent and the identification of a business opportunity can
vary considerably. Therefore, analysing the moderating role of intended timing
could be relevant to entrepreneurial intention research.
