ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AMONGST STUDENTS IN DIVERSE CULTURAL CONTEXTS

• Main Authors: Renata Dana NIŢU-ANTONIE, Emőke-Szidónia FEDER
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bucharest University of Economic Studies 2017-03-01
• Series: Business Excellence and Management
• Subjects: entrepreneurial intention; cultural differences; behavioural motivation; student entrepreneurship
• Online Access: http://beman.ase.ro/no71/2.pdf

The current study aimed to identify the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions, based on the TPB framework, for 270 students from 9 different countries with different cultural characteristics. Structural equation modelling was used for primary data analysis. The obtained empirical results indicated that entrepreneurial intentions amongst students are influenced directly and positively by personal attitude and perceived behavioural control. These motivational factors mediate the causal relationship between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intentions, whereas subjective norms exert a stronger effect on personal attitude and perceived behavioural control in the less individualistic country. The attained empirical results converge to the idea that the TPB model is applicable in different cultural contexts, being necessary national programmes and measures to encourage entrepreneurial intentions and behaviours that consider cultural values, with potential positive effects on economic growth and on the labour market. The comprehended research took in consideration a single cultural dimension (collectivism versus individualism) and only from certain regions from the countries included in the panel, thus not permitting to generalise the obtained empirical results.