Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intentions of Business Students in Pakistan

Asna Usman,Farhan Ahmed

doi:10.20547/jms.2014.1805202

Abstract

This research is aimed to study the role of demographic and external factors on the intentions of business students in Pakistan to become future entrepreneurs. Self-developed semi-structured questionnaires were prepared and data was collected from the final year students in two leading business institutes of Pakistan. The primary data collected during interviews and focus group sessions were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings and analysis of this study suggest that we cannot ignore the importance of any of the defined factors as stated in the propositions on the development of entrepreneurial intentions of business students in Pakistan. Neither family business, nor entrepreneurial education alone plays an independent role in building up the intentions to generate a new idea or start one's own business. It is a complete package of individual characteristics, influence of family, friends and the opportunities available in the surroundings that mutually act as motivators to plan and become entrepreneurs. Although much research has been conducted on identifying the personality, demographic and social factors in developed countries, there still exists a need to specify which elements play the most influential role in shaping the decision to start a firm particularly in a developing country like Pakistan. This research was an attempt to fill this gap by providing qualitative analysis and suggestions to the educational institutions, teachers, consultants, advisors and policymakers.

Highlights

There has been a considerable increase in research in the field of entrepreneurship over the past few years (Piperopoulos & Dimov, 2015)
The role of demographic and external factors in building entrepreneurial intentions have been identified through focus groups and in-depth interviews in two renowned business institutions of Karachi, Pakistan
Family and friends’ support, availability of financial capital and ability to bear risk with passion were identified as the key players in converting the entrepreneurial intentions into real entrepreneurship

Summary

Introduction

There has been a considerable increase in research in the field of entrepreneurship over the past few years (Piperopoulos & Dimov, 2015). The recent political, social and economic instability in Pakistan has hampered many activities in the country. It has led to increased unemployment rate in Pakistan. The increase in unemployment rate has led to many socioeconomic problems street crimes and other criminal activities being of utmost concern. In this scenario, economists suggest self employment as one of the most effective alternatives. Self employment or entrepreneurship can contribute a great amount of output throughout the world Self employment or entrepreneurship can contribute a great amount of output throughout the world (I. Ahmed et al, 2010)

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion