Testing the relationship between personality characteristics, contextual factors and entrepreneurial intentions in a developing country.
Drawing upon the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we developed and tested a conceptual model which integrates both internal personality factors and external contextual factors to determine their associations with motivational factors and entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). We then investigated if the model of EI applies in a developing country, namely Iran. We also set out to identify the most relevant factors for EI within this developing country context. Do distal predictors of EI including personality factors (i.e. need for achievement, risk taking and locus of control) and contextual factors (i.e. perceived barriers and support) significantly relate to EI via proximal predictors including motivational factors (i.e. attitudes towards entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control [PBC])? Data were collected on 331 students from 7 public universities. The findings support the TPB for EI in Iran. All three motivational factors related to EI, but PBC showed the strongest association, which is different than in developed country contexts. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed. All three personality characteristics indirectly related to EI via the proximal attitudes towards entrepreneurship and PBC. Perceived contextual support and barriers indirectly related to EI via proximal PBC while perceived barriers also directly related to EI.
Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Saeid
S
Karimi
Department of Social Sciences, Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Harm J A
HJA
Biemans
Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Karim
K
Naderi Mahdei
Department of Social Sciences, Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Thomas
T
Lans
Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, Agricultural College, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Chizari
Department of Social Sciences, Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Martin
M
Mulder
D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Contextual factors; Developing country; Entrepreneurial intentions; Iran; Personality characteristics; Theory of planned behaviour