Entrepreneurial intentions of information technology students: the theory of planned behaviour, the role of gender and education

Abstract

Entrepreneurial activity and self-employment is considered a major motor of innovation, and economic development. Entrepreneurial intention, introduced in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), is considered a major predictor of actual entrepreneurial career. Statistical regression analysis was used for the empirical examination of the entrepreneurial intentions of information technology (IT) students, in order to identify possible points of intervention, in the direction of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit. The contribution of the TPB antecedents was evaluated, along with the effect of gender and entrepreneurial course. Personal attitudes and perceived behavioural control proved to play a vital role in entrepreneurial intentions, whereas social norm had no significant effect. Female students showed reduced intentions towards entrepreneurship, in comparison to their male counterparts. Finally the role of entrepreneurship course attendance was not significant. These findings have considerable implications for educators, curriculum designers and policy makers.