Abstract
Undoubtedly, technical education is the backbone of every nation’s growth and development. Understanding and predicting business creation initiatives demand empirical studies using theory-oriented models that appropriately mirror the multi-faceted perception-based processes underlying entrepreneurial intentional and behaviour. Drawing on a model adapted from a study by Linan and Chen (2009), and based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by Ajzen, this article empirically investigates the influence of Perceived Behavioural Control, Subjective Norm and Attitude towards Entrepreneurship, on Entrepreneurial Intention using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) – Smart Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. In addition, several hypotheses (demographic-oriented variables) in relation to TPB are investigated. Data were collected on 574 students from a public technical university in Ghana. The findings suggest that TPB is an important tool for predicting entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, the findings support the TPB for EI in Ghana. Two motivational factors (Attitude towards Entrepreneurship and Planned Behavioural Control) related to EI, but SN showed a non-significant association with EI. This study also found SN positively affecting attitude toward entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control. However, only one (PSE-SN relationship) of the demographic-based hypotheses was significant. This study, however, cautions against the generalizability of the findings as the sample size comprises of students from a single institution. One of the theoretical implications of our study relates to evidence of the consistency of the theory of planned behavior in explaining entrepreneurial intention in the Ghanaian context. Future studies could replicate this research by sampling more technical universities in Ghana and other settings.
Highlights
Education is arguably an indispensable component in the knowledge-driven society (Schleicher, 2003)
With respect to programme or department 5.9% are from Secretaryship and Management Studies, 6.6% from Accountancy, 11.8% from Computer Science, 14.5% from Electrical Engineering, 24.9% from Building Technology, 7.7% from Marketing, 13.2% from Procurement and Supply Chain Management, 6.6% from General Agriculture, 5.1% from Civil Engineering, and 3.7% from Mechanical Engineering
Concerning our study, little is known about the application of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in the technical university context, Partial Least Square (PLS) is a suitable technique to use in this research
Summary
Education is arguably an indispensable component in the knowledge-driven society (Schleicher, 2003). Quality education is quintessential for technological advancement, creativity and innovation to the economic growth and development of any country. Technical universities are expected to play an important role in the support of knowledge creation and knowledge transfer via science and technology, which is critical for the development and wellbeing of any country. This is exemplified by the conversion of public polytechnics into technical universities in Ghana.
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