Establishing effects of entrepreneurial attitude and entrepreneurial intent of graduating University students in Western Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of entrepreneurial attitude and entrepreneurial intent of graduating University students in Western Uganda. The study adopted cross-sectional and causal-comparative research designs on a sample of 435 graduating students in Western Uganda. Descriptive results revealed that students entrepreneurial intent (x̅ = 3.03) was good with its aspects that were namely; entrepreneurial desire (x̅ = 2.73), entrepreneurial self-prediction (x̅ = 3.12) and behavioural intention (mean = 3.25) all being good. Entrepreneurial attitudes constructs including achievement attitude (x̅ = 2.90), personal control (x̅ = 2.90) and business management skills (x̅= 2.76) were equally good. Inferential results revealed that entrepreneurial attitudes (β = 0.224, p = 0.000 < 0.05) had a positive and significant effect with entrepreneurship intent. Therefore, it was concluded that achievement attitude, personal control and business management skills are probable skill requirements for entrepreneurial intent. Thus was recommended that technical and business management skills and managers of universities should establish teaching environments that create achievement, personal control and self-referent beliefs in students.