Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention among High School Students in South Korea

Abstract

According to the theory of planned behavior, the goal of this research is to evaluate the connections between perceived entrepreneurial capacity, perceived social norm, attitude toward entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial intention. It also examines the mediating effect of the educational environment on these connections. Based on the conceptual structure of the theory, this research study was organized to explore how the conception of the theory works in the case of Korean students and to further assess the role of the educational environment in the course of its operation. At Mirae High School of Science and Technology, eighty-nine respondents were used for the statistical analysis. One model was chosen to explore this research concept, namely, variance-based structural equation modeling (VB-SEM). All of the direct hypotheses are supported except the indirect hypothesis. The perceived entrepreneurial capacity positively influences entrepreneurial intention. The perceived social norm positively influences entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, a positive attitude toward entrepreneurship influences the intention to engage in it. The indirect effect is not in line with the expected hypothesis. The research’s findings contribute to the literature review by adding another empirical confirmation (educational environment’s role) from South Korean students’ viewpoint. It offers useful information and provides students with entrepreneurial skills. This research also contributes to the advancement of knowledge in relation to the predictors of entrepreneurship in students, and it could help governments to make decisions on entrepreneurship. Moreover, it highlights the direction in which a government or policymaker can take to pursue entrepreneurship and its education.