Age, entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions: the mediating role of individual entrepreneurial orientation

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between age and entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions considering the mediating role of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) dimensions (risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness). Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 782 individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s working-age population using a cross-sectional survey design. Hypotheses were tested via structural equation modeling. Findings Younger individuals have significantly higher intentions for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship than older individuals. The mediating role of IEO was partially supported in the case of the relationship between age and entrepreneurial intention as well as age and intrapreneurial intention. While risk-taking and innovativeness partially mediate the relationship, proactiveness does not. Originality/value This study takes a comprehensive approach when examining the relationship between age and entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial intentions in a developing economy while considering the indirect effects of IEO dimensions.

Examining entrepreneurial intentions through the lens of university students' attitudes

“…Looking at the working-age population, the entrepreneurial intention is more pronounced among the younger population (Aydin et al, 2024). To a certain extent, this confirms the validity of similar studies published in recent years on the student population (Bağış et al, 2023;Ognjenović, 2023;Ognjenović, 2022;Rajh et al, 2018).…”

“…To a certain extent, this confirms the validity of similar studies published in recent years on the student population (Bağış et al, 2023;Ognjenović, 2023;Ognjenović, 2022;Rajh et al, 2018). Research on data for Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted on a sample of the working-age population, has shown that an individual's propensity for entrepreneurship can have a significant mediating effect when the relationship between the respondent's age and their entrepreneurial, i.e., intrapreneurial, intention is observed (Aydin et al, 2024). The risktaking factors and innovation-driven motivation have a moderate mediating effect on the investigated relationships.…”

“…This topic has only recently become part of the research agenda in Serbia (Ognjenović, 2023;Ognjenović, 2022) and the countries of the region (Aydin, Knezović, Bičo & Smajić, 2024;Rajh et al, 2018). The motive for this work is to identify the factors in young people that would encourage them to choose the path of an entrepreneur as a profession.…”

Understanding individual entrepreneurial orientation

“…In general, there is a notable gap in the literature examining entrepreneurship from the perspective of different generations, especially in developing countries. Recently, authors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) (Aydin et al, 2023) examined generational differences in entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions, laying the groundwork for further research in this area. However, it is important to emphasise that Aydin et al (2023) adopted a behavioural perspective on entrepreneurship, whereas the present study starts from a framework of personality traits that focuses on IEO dimensions encompassing a range of personal characteristics.…”

“…Bosnia and Herzegovina is characterised by relatively high unemployment, an older labour force and an outflow of young and highly skilled human capital (Knezović & Greda, 2021). Although research on entrepreneurial activities has recently gained traction (Bičo et al, 2022) and authors also consider a generational perspective (Aydin et al, 2023) (Alfirević et al, 2018). Apart from excluding other potential participants, these studies do not focus on the generational perspective in IEO.…”