The Entrepreneurial Intention of Business Students in Pakistan: The Role of Self-Efficacy, Business Education and Perceived Social Norms

The Role of Self-Efficacy, Business Education and Perceived Social Norms

Abstract

This study is aimed to determine the entrepreneurial intent of business students in Pakistan regarding business education support, perceived social norms and self-efficacy. The course outline for the business degree by 'Higher Education Commission of Pakistan includes only a course titled "Small and Medium Enterprise" that merely covers the basic concept of entrepreneurship. Thus, the need is to find out whether the business education provides an adequate and necessary pedagogical tool to create entrepreneurial intention or not. The main objective was to examine the entrepreneurial intentions through external and internal factors, along with the focus on business education support. Data for this research was collected through survey questionnaire; using convenient sampling technique, data was collected from business students of the final semester of business degrees from various universities. The findings emerged from multiple regression analysis, suggested; that young graduates' extent of interest in entrepreneurial activities was developed through quality business education, self-efficacy and perceived social norms. Further, findings also provide the evidence for supporting the notion that the policy makers and curriculum developers should consider the courses helping university graduates' getting entrepreneurship education. In this way, it is possible to inculcate positive attitudes and intentions among graduates toward entrepreneurship.