A Model of Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Intention among Information Technology Students in Vietnam

Abstract

In recent decades, the research field of entrepreneurship phenomenon has significantly increased in both quantity and sophistication. In Vietnam, paradoxically, while creating a new business venture has become a tendency, the interest in studying entrepreneurs seems not to be thoroughly investigated. This research aims to evaluate the factors that affect the entrepreneurial intention of information technology (IT) students in Vietnam. The authors make use of mixed methods including both quantitative research method and qualitative research method. The qualitative research method is employed to identify meanings, confirmations, adjustments, and compliments for concept-measurement variables in the conceptual model. Quantitative research is conducted from a sample of 424 IT senior students across many universities in Vietnam. Questionnaires have been sent to students to evaluate the measurement scale and appropriateness of the research model. Results from multiple regression highlighted five independent variables affecting the dependent variable, the entrepreneurial intention, in a descending order as following: entrepreneurial educational environment, personal characteristics, perception of feasibility, entrepreneurial supports, and financial accessibility. In addition, this research has proved that the variable attitudes towards entrepreneurship partially mediated among the interrelationship of the aforementioned variables. From this research, the authors make some recommendations to enhance entrepreneurial intentions of IT students in Vietnam.