Abstract
This study examined the agriculture entrepreneurial intentions (AEIs) of current farmers (n = 1183) in Taiwan and distinguished differences between ≤45- and >45-year-old farmers by applying the theory of planned behaviour with the extension of personality traits. The results determined that the entrepreneurial commitment and communication aspects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) considerably affected the conviction dimension of AEI, whereas entrepreneurial commitment, communication ESE, entrepreneurial attitude, planning ESE, and neuroticism notably influenced the preparation dimension of AEI. Furthermore, the effects of neuroticism on entrepreneurial conviction were weaker in younger farmers than in older farmers, and the effects of entrepreneurial commitment, entrepreneurial attitude, neuroticism, and planning ESE on entrepreneurial preparation in younger farmers were different from those in older farmers. Moreover, length of agricultural engagement exhibited an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship with AEIs. The present study contributes to the understanding of how younger farmers’ AEIs can be shaped and how they may cope with the differences they may have compared with older family members.
Highlights
Global warming has negatively affected the physical and biological systems of human society
An emerging topic in agricultural multifunctionality is the demand for younger people with new ideas and farming entrepreneurship to address how agribusinesses can respond to rural development [3,4]
On the basis of these insights, personality traits and length of agricultural engagement were considered in this study, and four additional hypotheses were proposed: Hypothesis 5 (H5)
Summary
Global warming has negatively affected the physical and biological systems of human society. Human society must simultaneously consider the ecological, ethical, and social dimensions of future agricultural practices and uses of rural landscapes [1]; agricultural multifunctionality and new venture activities are in demand. In this vein, multifunctional and related startups have contributed to transforming rural living, natural environments, and economic diversity for Asian nations, including Taiwan [2]. An emerging topic in agricultural multifunctionality is the demand for younger people with new ideas and farming entrepreneurship to address how agribusinesses can respond to rural development [3,4]. Personality traits and length of agricultural engagement were considered because recent studies have reported a strong relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurship [15,16] and because relevant research has suggested that length of rural engagement affects intention towards rural practice [17,18]
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