Understanding entrepreneurial intention among Indian youth aspiring for self-employment

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to confirm whether entrepreneurial intention models (EIM) explain the entrepreneurial phenomenon when applied to India. We have tested the Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB) framework for testing entrepreneurial intention (EI) in Indian setting. The data has been collected by administering entrepreneurial intention questionnaire (EIQ) among the students of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India who are aspiring to take up self-employment as their career option. The paper employs a linear regression model to examine the determinants of entrepreneurial intention (EI) based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Results obtained partially support the theory of planned behaviour. The construct social norms (SN) found to be insignificant in predicting entrepreneurial intention (EI). Moreover, perceived behavioural control (PBC) or self-efficacy explains highest variance than other variables which indicates that entrepreneurial behaviour is not under volitional control; hence, India has a less munificent environment for entrepreneurs than other nations. This is one of the few studies to provide evidence for entrepreneurial intention models (EIM) in India based on the TPB framework. In addition, it checks the robustness of the TPB in explaining EI in India and confirm the some of the previous findings.