Influence of personal variables on entrepreneurial intention: A comparative study between Poland and Spain

Abstract

This article analyses the influence of personal variables on entrepreneurial intentions of students from Poland and Spain. The article presents an integrated structural model that has been developed from a set of student perceptions from both countries. A small number of variables included in the model allows explaining and managing the formation of the intention in the context of higher education. This study provides answers to the following questions: What role do personal variables play as motivation in the formation of entrepreneurship in the case of young people? Is the motivation stronger than self-efficacy? What are the differences in the perceptions and ratings of students in Poland and Spain? How can these variables be enhanced? This work used a causal quantitative methodology based on structural equations (PLS) and the Smart PLS-3.0 program. The PLS model was chosen for its advantages in the study of human behaviour and its optimal predictive potential, and because it allows the use of reflective indicators. In the causal model generated with a sample of 721 respondents from Poland and Spain, it was found that personal values initiated the chain of effects that influenced the attitude and, through it, successively resulted in motivation, self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions. Therefore, the subjective variables (values and attitudes) have a positive and significant influence on the action variables (motivation and self-efficacy), and these affect entrepreneurial intentions. The absence of significant regional differences in the responses to the items and the causal relationships of the model suggests the possibility of developing integrated and homogeneous programmes for the entire segment, thereby achieving synergies. The results suppose a theoretical and practical contribution to the promotion of entrepreneur intentions of university students inside and outside the educational context, suggesting a possible effect of personal variables on entrepreneurial intentions.

Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Intention among Young People: Model and Regional Evidence

“…Taking into account that the young people of Spain and Poland value very positively all the observed variables presented, given the high scores of the items, it is concluded that this segment of the population has a favorable predisposition to entrepreneurship in both countries. This predisposition favors action in the educational context and through other institutions to promote entrepreneurship, and thus, contribute to the sustainable development of regions [182][183][184][185]. As such, policymakers can use the findings of this research to establish policies to improve the conditions in the ecosystems for sustainable entrepreneurship in their regions.…”

The Application of Cluster Analysis for the Selection of Key Competences of Future-Oriented Entrepreneurs

“…The literature shows a trend related to the search for appropriate competences that should characterise an educated entrepreneur (Gonzalez & Kobylinska, 2019) so that one can successfully (Jain, 2011;Lewrick et al, 2010) and in a sustainable way (Coyne, 2016) carry out his work. Already in the 80s, Ronstadt pointed out that entrepreneurship and related competences can and must be mastered (Ronstadt, 1987).…”

How Does College Students’ Entrepreneurial Learning Influence Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from China

“…Perceived behavioral control constitutes individuals' beliefs in their ability to achieve a certain behavior, based on extensive knowledge, experience, and skills [47]. In this study, perceived behavioral control refers to the individual's ability to assess factors to promote their entrepreneurship; the literature generally agrees that the perception of being in control is positively related to the intention to become an entrepreneur [48,49]. Relevant empirical studies also show that perceived behavioral control plays a partially mediating role on the impact of college students' entrepreneurial intention.…”