SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PREDICTORS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER INTENTION: EVIDENCE FROM HISPANIC ADULTS IN THE U.S.

Abstract

While there is a burgeoning literature on entrepreneurial career intentions, much scholarly work is yet to be done in understanding the dynamic factors that influence entrepreneurial venture formation among minority groups. In this study, I specifically examined the social (i.e. perceived social status, perceived social support) and institutional (perceived institutional support) predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions among 186 young Hispanic American Adults in the southern part of U.S. After controlling for personality, work experience and educational attainment, the results provide strong empirical support for the social, not institutional, predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions. Overall, the findings of this study contribute to the on-going research on minority entrepreneurship in general and Hispanic entrepreneurship in particular by identifying important social predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions. Practical implications of the study are also discussed.