Understanding Entrepreneurial Intentions among University Students: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

In most nations, entrepreneurship has been crucial to economic growth and social stability. India has the world’s biggest proportion of young people in its population, and it is struggling with the high rates of youth unemployment. In this jobless situation, finding new jobs is challenging for students. Therefore, having an entrepreneurial goal is the most crucial mechanism for doing a new business and being self-employed. This research aims to evaluate the perceptions of the Berhampur University students toward entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control on entrepreneurial intentions by using Aizen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and data validation in the state of Odisha setting. This research study population was 1048 students of Berhampur University, and 319 students participated in data collection for research sample but 294 usable sample responses received as of the 2021-2022 academic year. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Purposive sampling was used to gather the data, and a closed-ended questionnaire was given to respondents. Data was cleaned and analysed by applying statistical tool of structural equation modelling to examine at the relationships between the constructs and variables. The research findings revealed a positive relationship between perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intentions. Surprisingly, the outcome results were somewhat contrary to TPB because the construct of personal attitude and subjective norm with entrepreneurial intentions did not have any significant relationships with the population of university students. This research will offer fresh perspectives on both academics and policymakers. Universities today play a key role in impacting students’ views and behaviours by offering a platform and an atmosphere that encourage an entrepreneurial spirit. In order to emphasise the advantages of being a young entrepreneur, policymakers should concentrate on establishing a new business and funding start-ups.