Determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among young graduates: perspectives of push-pull-mooring model

Obinna C Ojiaku,Ireneus C Nwaizugbo,Anayo D Nkamnebe

doi:10.1186/s40497-018-0109-3

Abstract

The role of entrepreneurship in economic development is increasingly recognized by policymakers and researchers. Entrepreneurship has been advanced as the panacea for youth unemployment and wealth creation. However, studies on the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions have been inconclusive. Building on the push-pull-mooring model from the migration literature as a theoretical framework, this study provides an integrative model for predicting entrepreneurial intentions amongst young graduates. The survey data was drawn from a sample of 288 National Youth Service Corp members (NYSC) in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, to test the applicability of the model. The model was tested using Hierarchical regression. The result confirms the predictive ability of the PPM model on entrepreneurial intentions. Specifically, the result reveals that the pull factors (i.e, independence, autonomy, opportunities exploitation e.t.c) and the mooring variables (i.e., government support, personal attitude, self-efficacy e.t.c) significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions with the mooring variables having the most influence. Therefore, the study recommends the need for policy initiatives towards exposing these young graduates to market opportunities through a mentor-protégé arrangement with successful entrepreneurs during the NYSC programme and providing the necessary supports in the form of funding.

Highlights

The rise of youth unemployment and the slow pace of economic growth have attracted the attention of researchers and policymakers towards developing policies that will foster the spirit of entrepreneurship and facilitate new venture creation (Giacomin et al 2011), especially among young people
Policymakers are making a concerted effort towards increasing entrepreneurship supply by encouraging students to opt for an entrepreneurial career path after graduation
The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions (EI) shows the need for continuous monitoring and advancement of entrepreneurship development programmes

Summary

Introduction

The rise of youth unemployment and the slow pace of economic growth have attracted the attention of researchers and policymakers towards developing policies that will foster the spirit of entrepreneurship and facilitate new venture creation (Giacomin et al 2011), especially among young people. This is due to the contributions of entrepreneurship in job creation and economic growth (Uhlaner and Thurik, 2007). Understanding the motivation for entrepreneurial behavior is increasingly recognized (Segal et al 2005). Intentions are the best predictors of behavior (Ajzen, 2002). There is no consensus on the theoretical explanations for entrepreneurial intentions (EI; Solesvik 2013)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion