An investigation into determinants of entrepreneurial intention among university students

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) analyze the internal and external factors affecting the development of college students' entrepreneurship, 2) analyze the performance of these factors in this particular demographic profile and 3) evaluate the entrepreneurial intention of Chinese college students. The sample group consisted of 402 respondents. Data analysis was involving descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression analysis. The study yielded the following results: 1) gender displayed a robust and significant t-value (3.28) with a low p-value (0.001), indicating a notable gender-based disparity in entrepreneurial intention among students. Work experience also exhibited significant t and p-values (t = -2.45, p = .015), emphasizing the influence of prior work experience on students' entrepreneurial inclination. 2) A review of determinants of university students' entrepreneurial intention showed differences in individual traits (personality: 𝑥̅ = 3.94, SD = 0.74; values: 𝑥̅ = 4.01, SD = 0.70; motivation: 𝑥̅ = 3.87, SD = 0.74), social-cultural influences, family, peers, mentors, entrepreneurship education, and economic environmental factors. 3) All secondary indicators of the hypothesized factors were significant at the .01 level (p < .01), indicating positive correlations between these factors and entrepreneurial intention.