Influence of Perceived behavioral control, Personal creativity, Personal attitude and social norms on entrepreneurial intention for undergraduate Mekelle University students

Abstract

Abstract Focusing on enhancing their entrepreneurial intention of graduates becomes the first priority of higher education. Studies done so far focused on factors affecting the entrepreneurial intention of individuals is not yet matured. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Perceived behavioral control, personal attitude, social norms and personal creativity on entrepreneurial intentions of final year students from Ethiopian context. The study involved data from 257 graduating students based on self-assessment questionnaire and structural equation modeling approach was employed for data analysis. The study reveals the personal creativity, perceived behavioral control and personal attitude toward entrepreneurship have a positive and significant impact on the entrepreneurial intentions of the graduating students. By contrast the social norms has no significant impact on the entrepreneurial intention of the individuals. These findings contribute to the knowledge of how does entrepreneurial intention of undergraduate students affected by perceived behavioral control, social norms, personal attitude and personal creativity. This research is the first study conducted in the Ethiopian context considering the mentioned four factors on the entrepreneurial intention of the under graduate students. The promising for future research direction is how peers and family interaction affect the individuals’ entrepreneurial intention behavior culture wise.