Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Intent among Students: A Case Study of BITS Pilani

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine and analyze factors that influence students’ intention to become an entrepreneur. The model of this study includes the effect of demographics, contextual factors and the components of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the entrepreneurial intention of the students. A sample of 282 students participated in a survey, consisting of questions measuring attitude towards entrepreneurship, perceived support and barriers, locus of control, need for achievement, instrumental readiness, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial intention. The findings of the study show that all the factors mentioned above significantly affect the intention to be an entrepreneur. Out of these factors, attitude towards entrepreneurship contributes most towards entrepreneurial intention. The results also showed that gender, courses and workshop on entrepreneurship, and student loans for studies also have an effect on entrepreneurial intention.There is a need to consciously focus in an integrated manner on these factors in academic institutions to create intent in students to take up entrepreneurship as career option. Further, for developing positive attitude towards entrepreneurship, academic institutions must include courses that provide experiential learning and hands on experience through exercises and assignments resulting in design and development of prototypes and products responding to societal needs.