Abstract
This study examines entrepreneurial intent in Romanian students using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, Adv. Exp. Soc. Psychol., 20:1–63, 1987). Using multiple regression analyses to test for mediation, we analyzed survey data from 324 Romanian students. Some of our findings were consistent with the Theory of Planned Behavior, while others were not. As expected, we found that self-efficacy and the desirabilities associated with creating a venture were positively related to entrepreneurial intent. However, surprisingly, we found that the more supportive the students’ referents were, the less likely the students were to have intentions of starting a business.
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Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the Fulbright Association and the Academy of Economic Studies for their support of this research project.
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Appendix
Appendix
Scale Items
Specific desirabilities (5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)
Starting my own business would make me very tense (reverse scored).
I would enjoy the autonomy that accompanies starting my own business.
I would enjoy the personal satisfaction of starting my own business.
I would enjoy the financial rewards of starting my own business.
Starting my own business would give me a good quality of life.
Perceived desirability (5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)
I consider starting my own business very desirable.
I consider starting my own business is an attractive idea.
I consider an entrepreneurial career to be very desirable.
Self efficacy (5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)
I can work productively under continuous stress, pressure and conflict.
I can originate new ideas and products.
I can see new market opportunities for new products and services.
I can react quickly to unexpected change or failure.
I can discover new ways to improve existing products.
I can identify new areas for potential growth.
I can tolerate unexpected changes in business conditions.
I can react quickly to take advantage of business opportunities.
I can identify potential sources of funding for investment.
I can create a working environment that lets people be more their own boss.
I can create products that fulfill customers’ unmet needs.
I can manage the negotiation process to obtain outcomes favorable to me.
I can formulate a set of actions in pursuit of opportunities.
I can develop a well-conceived plan and presentation to potential investors.
I can bring product concepts to market in a timely manner.
I can focus on the demands of the business despite the inevitable conflicts between one’s personal and professional life.
I have the skills and capabilities required to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Perceived feasibility (5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)
It would be very practical for me to start my own business.
It would be very feasible for me to start my own business.
Subjective norm
Think of people that are important to you. Then answer the following questions by circling the number that corresponds with your answer for each question.
1 = very unsupportive
5 = very supportive
If I were to start my own business, the important people in my life would be
If I were to start my own business, my parents would be
If I were to start my own business, my close friends would be
If I were to start my own business, my significant other (e.g., boyfriend/girlfriend) would be
Continuing to think of the people that are important to you, answer the following questions by circling the number that corresponds with your answer for each question.
1 = of very little or no importance
5 = of utmost importance
The opinion of the important people in my life is
How important are your parents’ opinions to you?
How important are your close friends’ opinions to you?
How important is your significant other’s opinion to you?
Entrepreneurial intent (5 = extremely likely, 1 = extremely unlikely)
How likely is it that you will start your own business sometime in your life?
How likely is it that you will start a firm on a full-time basis sometime in your life?
(5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)
I am considering starting my own business some day in the future.
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Shook, C.L., Bratianu, C. Entrepreneurial intent in a transitional economy: an application of the theory of planned behavior to Romanian students. Int Entrep Manag J 6, 231–247 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-008-0091-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-008-0091-2