Facebook and Mobile Phone Use and Entrepreneurial Intentions of Students in Serbia

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the research of the impact that Facebook and smartphone use have on the enterprise potential, individual entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial intentions of students in Serbia. The moderating effects of gender and the year of study were also examined. The sample included 488 valid questionnaires. From the Facebook use items, the most powerful and positive correlations were achieved by number of groups, number of friends and number of photos (items which involve active participation in Facebook activities, while a passive and random long stay on Facebook can negatively affect the entrepreneurship dimensions). More time spent on a mobile phone may produce a higher degree of passive behaviour in students, thus reducing their need for success. Creativity, subjective norm, achievement, innovativeness and leadership are under the greatest influence of Facebook and smartphone use items. The impact on entrepreneurial intentions is indirect. The recommendation for parents and teachers is to encourage young people to limit passive participation on Facebook and other social networks. There are no previous studies which link Facebook and smartphones with students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Understanding and improving knowledge of the entrepreneurial intention of individuals has a positive effect on the development of society.