Some Advances in the Explanation of Entrepreneurial Intentions

Posted: 4 Nov 2009

See all articles by Maryse J. Brand

Maryse J. Brand

University of Groningen

Mirjam van Praag

University of Amsterdam - Department of Economics; Copenhagen Business School; Tinbergen Institute; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Mikael Ombach

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Wynand Bodewes

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Marco van Gelderen

VU University Amsterdam

Date Written: 2004

Abstract

Utilizing the theory of planned behavior (TPB), specific factors contributing to the decision to start a business are examined. Several dependent (e.g., entrepreneurial interest and preference) and independent variables (e.g., attitudes, perceived behavior control [PBC], and subjective norms) are measured to predict entrepreneurial intentions.Perceived behavior control refers to one's beliefs about the role of certain skills, resources and opportunities needed to start and run a business, and perceptions about one's access to those factors.Subjective norms are a person's perceptions about the beliefs of others important to him or her, concerning the appropriateness of starting a business, and the likelihood that the individual feels he or she will comply with those concerns. Data are based on an open-ended questionnaire given to a sample of 303 undergraduate students (second, third, and fourth years of their studies) in business administration at the University of Groningen. The results indicate that: (1) males and older students take more interest in entrepreneurial interest; (2) attitude and PBC explain strict measures of entrepreneurial interest; (3) subjective norms do not significantly contribute to entrepreneurial interest; and (4) attitude, PBC, and perseverance all have impacts on the composite measure of intention. From these findings, it can be concluded that the TPB is very useful when explaining interest in entrepreneurship. This model helps to explain 35% of the variance in interest in entrepreneurship, with regards to a variety of dependent variables. Furthermore, analyses of the dependent variables provide relevant implications for education in entrepreneurship. (NEE)

Keywords: Theory of planned behavior, Intentions, Perseverance, Perceptions, Startups, Age, Attitudes, Beliefs, Decision models, Gender, Management decisions, Motivation

Suggested Citation

Brand, Maryse J. and van Praag, Mirjam and van Praag, Mirjam and Ombach, Mikael and Bodewes, Wynand and van Gelderen, Marco, Some Advances in the Explanation of Entrepreneurial Intentions (2004). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1497291

Maryse J. Brand

University of Groningen ( email )

P.O. Box 800
9700 AH Groningen, Groningen 9700 AV
Netherlands

Mirjam Van Praag

University of Amsterdam - Department of Economics ( email )

Roetersstraat 11
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands
+31 20 525 4096 (Phone)
+31 20 525 4182 (Fax)

Copenhagen Business School ( email )

Kilevej 14A
Frederiksberg, 2000
Denmark

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerlaan
Amsterdam
Netherlands

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 7 / 9
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Mikael Ombach

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Wynand Bodewes

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Marco Van Gelderen

VU University Amsterdam ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, ND North Holland 1081 HV
Netherlands

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