A Study of Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intentions: Development of Comprehensive Measures

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive set of measures to predict entrepreneurial intentions drawn from measures used in existing studies. Since intentions can be valuable for explaining the act of creating the venture, it is vital to develop a set of comprehensive measures that can better predict the intentions and the entrepreneurial behaviour. An extensive search of literature for a complete set of measures that are capable of explaining entrepreneurial intentions and behaviour did not yield any result. The present study was, therefore, attempted to address this gap in the extant literature. The final scale developed in this study is, in essence, the drawing together of various items from disparate sources and it should provide a more comprehensive research tool. Data was collected from four leading Indian business school students through an online survey. One hundred and one responses completed responses were obtained through the online survey which was open for one week. The data was subjected to statistical analysis to check the psychometric properties of the instruments. The scales were tested for validity and reliability. A total of 13 factors (measures) emerged from the study totalling 54 items. Out of these, seven factors were for motivators (28 items), five factors were for barriers (20 items) and one factor was for intention (6 items). These measures can be used by researchers to determine entrepreneurial intentions and behaviour of students, women, working managers and other sections of the society.