Determinants of entrepreneurial intention among university business students using the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

Purpose – This paper sets out to present a detailed empirical investigation of the entrepreneurial intentions of business students across two different cultures (Malta and Nigeria). The research intends to throw light on the influence of culture in entrepreneurial intention formation. Most of the earlier studies have been conducted in the western cultures. The author employs the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), in which intentions are regarded as resulting from attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and subjective norms.

Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used was a replication study among samples of undergraduate students at two different universities (total n = 383). Five operationalisations of intentions are used as well as a composite measure. Prior to the main study, qualitative research conducted at two other universities (total n = 373) and a quantitative research at six other universities (total n = 1074) were held to operationalise the components of the TPB.

Findings – The results show that the most important variable to explain entrepreneurial intentions are perceived behavioural control (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) across the two cultures and the components of the theory of planned behaviour are invariant. The findings support the applicability of self-efficacy and attitudes on entrepreneurial intentions.

Research limitations/implications – Various research design features are used that result in better and more detailed explanations of entrepreneurial intentions.

Practical implications – Several suggestions are offered on how entrepreneurial intentions can be improved and aided through entrepreneurial education at the university.

Originality/value – The study provides detailed and solid results on entrepreneurial intentions which are positioned in the career literature.