Testing a Model of Entrepreneurship Intention among Iranian ELT Learners

Abstract

Within the last two decades, research on entrepreneurship has received increasing attention throughout the world. However, most of the research in this area has been done in business and vocational fields and more research is needed in educational and non-business contexts. This study took the initiative to explore the connections among entrepreneurship intention (EI), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), entrepreneurial identity aspirations (EIA), entrepreneurial outcome expectations (EOE), and subjective norms (SN) in an English language teaching (ELT) context. To this end, 382 Iranian ELT students were conveniently chosen and requested to complete a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was run. The findings of SEM analysis revealed that ESE and EIA directly predicted EI. Further, SN proved to be a significant predictor of ESE, EIA, and EOE. The results also showed that ESE could significantly predict EOE and EIA. EOE also significantly predicted EIA. In addition, ESE, SN, and EOE could indirectly affect EI through the mediation of EIA. Altogether, this study can help enhance the realization of the stated entrepreneurial concepts, and guide potential entrepreneurship education programs in the ELT context.