THE EFFECT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND CONTEXTUAL FACTORS ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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Abstract

This study focused on investigating the factors that affect the entrepreneurial intention of final year undergraduate students at a South African university. It aimed to achieve the following objectives, (1) to assess the entrepreneurial intention of final year university students, (2) to investigate the effect of psychological and contextual factors on entrepreneurial intention of final year university students and (3) to examine if there is a gender difference in the effect of psychological and contextual factors on entrepreneurial intention of final year university students. The study examined the effect of psychological and contextual factors on the entrepreneurial intention of final year undergraduate students. The study used the quantitative research method with a descriptive research design. 140 students participated in the survey and data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire in a survey. The participants in the study were final year undergraduate business management students. The convenience sampling technique was used in the study. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the T-test. The results indicated that business students have a high level of entrepreneurial intention. Both psychological and contextual factors positively impact on entrepreneurial intention. There is no significant gender difference. Recommendations to improve the entrepreneurial intention of students are suggested.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Intention, Psychological Factors, Contextual Factors, University Students, South Africa

How to cite this paper: Dzomonda, O., Fatoki, O., Oni, O. (2015). The effect of psychological and contextual factors on the entrepreneurial intention of university students in South Africa. Corporate Ownership & Control, 13(1-11), 1297-1303. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv13i1c11p2