Validating the Entrepreneurial Intention Model on the University Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to examine the applicability of Linan and Chen’s entrepreneurial intention model (EIM) in predicting the entrepreneurial intention. EIM is an adaptation of the Theory of Planned Behavior that focuses on entrepreneurial intention and hypothesizing slightly different patterns of relationship with regards to subjective norms. The model also includes human capital and demographic factors. Snowball sampling method was used to collect data using the entrepreneurial intention questionnaire (EIQ) through several social media platforms. The survey indicates that the overall entrepreneurial intention of Saudi students is high (mean = 5.41). Eight out of the seventeen hypothesized relationships were found to be significant. Among the demographic variables, gender-personal attitude was significant whereas self employment experience and years of business education were found to be significantly related with perceived behavioral control. The statistical analysis using partial least square structural equation modelling validated the model. All the three antecedents of entrepreneurial intention were significantly related with entrepreneurial intention. The results of this study will help policy makers to get deep understanding into the phenomenon of entrepreneurship among Saudi university students and thereby develop a conducive environment. This study also validates the entrepreneurial intention model in a different cultural context.