Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intention in Undergraduate Students: A Model Based on Structural Equations

Abstract

This research aims to determine the factors that affect the entrepreneurial intention of undergraduate students by adapting the theory of planned behavior and modeled through structural equations. This theory is used to identify the behavioral, normative and control beliefs pertinent to the entrepreneurial intention. The hypothesis of the research model is that the intention is predicted by the belief about risk aversion, the disposition regarding important people and self-efficacy. The research model was tested through a survey of 1,339 students from the faculties of engineering, health, humanities, law and technology, in a public and accredited university in Chile. The results confirm the hypotheses proposed. This means that the attitude, the subjective norm and the control of the perceived behavior are significant and positively related to the entrepreneurial intention.