Abstract
Entrepreneurial intentions shown by different individuals vary depending on their demographic profile. In an attempt to understand the underlying factors contributing to the low levels of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa, this study focuses on whether individuals possessing certain demographic attributes are more likely to display entrepreneurial intentions than those who do not.The sample consisted of undergraduate business students from three South African Universities. Respondents were identified by means of convenience sampling. The statistical analysis was undertaken on 447 usable questionnaires. Chi-Square statistics were calculated to determine the significant relationships between the demographic variables and entrepreneurial intentions.The empirical results of this study show that the demographic variables University attended, Level of study and Ethnicity have a significant influence on the intentions of respondents to start their own businesses.
Highlights
Introduction and problem statementAccording to Herrington, Kew and Kew (2010: 59), the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) rate of South Africa (5,9%) is significantly lower than the average for all efficiency-driven economies (11,2%) as well as the average for all middle- to low-income countries (14,8%)
In order to design effective programmes, the factors that influence students’ career decisions towards self-employment should be known; a better understanding of these factors is useful both from an academic and a practical point of view (Lüthje & Franke, 2003: 136). Against this background it is of importance and interest to entrepreneurial educators in South Africa to determine which demographic factors are associated with entrepreneurial intentions, and whether these intentions are more evident among students with specific demographic profiles
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate business students in South Africa
Summary
According to Herrington, Kew and Kew (2010: 59), the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) rate of South Africa (5,9%) is significantly lower than the average for all efficiency-driven economies (11,2%) as well as the average for all middle- to low-income countries (14,8%). In order to design effective programmes, the factors that influence students’ career decisions towards self-employment should be known; a better understanding of these factors is useful both from an academic and a practical point of view (Lüthje & Franke, 2003: 136) Against this background it is of importance and interest to entrepreneurial educators in South Africa to determine which demographic factors are associated with entrepreneurial intentions, and whether these intentions are more evident among students with specific demographic profiles. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of selected demographic factors (i.e. Gender, Ethnicity, Level of study, University attended and Self-employment status of parents) on the entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate business students in South Africa. The demographic variables of interest in this study are Gender, Ethnicity, Level of study (age), University attended (geographic location) and Self-employment status of parents (role models)
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