Technopreneurial Intentions: The Effect of Innate Innovativeness and Academic Self-Efficacy

Sa’Ed M Salhieh,Yousef Al-Abdallat

doi:10.3390/su14010238

Sa’Ed M Salhieh, Yousef Al-Abdallat

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010238

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Dec 27, 2021
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: British University in Dubai, University of Jordan

Abstract

Several factors can affect students’ intention to start a new technology-based venture (technopreneurial intentions). Understanding these factors is important when developing technical educational programs. This study investigates the effect of innate innovativeness and academic self-efficacy on technopreneurial self-efficacy and the forming of technopreneurial intentions. It does this by developing a conceptual model that relates technopreneurial intentions, technopreneurial self-efficacy, academic self-efficacy, and innate innovativeness. The data was collected from 378 undergraduate engineering students enrolled in a Jordanian university with a self-administered questionnaire survey. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS showed that technopreneurial self-efficacy had a positive and significant impact on technopreneurial intentions. Academic self-efficacy had both a direct and indirect positive effect on technopreneurial intention. The indirect effect occurred through increased technopreneurial self-efficacy. Innate innovativeness had a direct effect on technopreneurial intentions, but it did not have a significant indirect effect through technopreneurship self-efficacy as was initially hypothesized. The findings suggest that those who show interest in starting a new technology-based venture have a strong belief in their abilities to perform the technological and entrepreneurial tasks needed, are confident about their ability to acquire the academic technical skills required, and have the inner motivation to seek what is technologically new and different.

Highlights

Accepted: 23 December 2021Entrepreneurship is considered a determinant of economic growth and development [1] as it plays a crucial role in the growth of businesses, economies, and nations as the world ventures through the era of the fourth industrial revolution (IE4.0)
The findings showed that technopreneurial self-efficacy had a positive and significant impact on technopreneurial intentions, it can be used as a predictor
The results showed that innate innovativeness had a direct effect on technopreneurial intentions, but it did not have a significant indirect effect through technopreneurship self-efficacy as was initially hypothesized

Summary

Introduction

Accepted: 23 December 2021Entrepreneurship is considered a determinant of economic growth and development [1] as it plays a crucial role in the growth of businesses, economies, and nations as the world ventures through the era of the fourth industrial revolution (IE4.0). The world is presented with a magnitude of new technological innovations that can be developed into new ventures. These ventures require the integration of skills from engineering and science in addition to business and entrepreneurial skills [2]. The future of digitalization in the world creates an opportunity for technology-based entrepreneurship or ‘technopreneurship’. Engineers can capitalize on business opportunities in engineering and turn them into profitable commercially viable innovations. This means that engineers and engineering education can play an important part in the new economy that is triggered by technology-based innovation. Several educational institutions have realized the importance of preparing engineers for entrepreneurship and designed new “engineering

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