ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v11i1.178

Abstract

Notwithstanding the concerted interventions for integrating entrepreneurship education in higher learning institutions, graduates' transition from universities to entrepreneurial activities remains insignificant. This paper examines the influence of entrepreneurial knowledge on the entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate students. An exploratory research design alongside a quantitative approach was used to collect data. The data for this paper were collected from 335 drawn from 10 public and private higher learning institutions. Purposive, stratified, and convenience sampling were used to draw the sample. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey administered to 335 finalist students in Tanzania's higher learning institutions. The paper applies a partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the moderating role of entrepreneurial knowledge on the relationship between motivational factors and entrepreneurial intentions of finalist undergraduate students from higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The study reveals that entrepreneurial knowledge significantly moderates the relationship between behavioural control and entrepreneurial intentions. The influence of entrepreneurial knowledge on the relationship between attitude and intentions and subjective norms and intentions is insignificant. Further, the attitude and behavioural controls were found to positively and significantly affect immediate entrepreneurial intentions, whereas subjective norms insignificantly affected immediate entrepreneurial intention. The study contributes to the development of a theory of planned behaviour, for example, by demonstrating that the three motivational factors have varying effects on entrepreneurial intentions in the context of moderation and different time horizons. Family entrepreneurial culture, personal savings, and role models are keys to making graduates pursue entrepreneurship in the long term.

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Author Biographies

Mesia Ilomo, Department of Finance, University of Dar es Salaam Business School, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: ilomo.mesia@udsm.ac.tz

Mesia Ilomo is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), Tanzania. He has a PhD in Business from the University of Dar es Salaam.  Mesia is interested in qualitative and quantitative research on international trade, entrepreneurship, gender, finance, and policy analysis. He has provided consultancy and advisory services to various local and international institutions.  As a member of the academic staff at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mesia teaches modelling for trade policy analysis, trade in services, investments in emerging markets, and trade and business negotiations at the postgraduate level. Also, he teaches international business finance, financial analysis, risk management, and insurance at the undergraduate level. Mesia also served as a part-time lecturer at the Law School of Tanzania, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, and Ardhi University.

Kelefa Mwantimwa, Information Studies Unit, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: mwantimwa@udsm.ac.tz

Kelefa Mwantimwa is an Associate Professor at the University of Dar es Salaam. He has a PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Kelefa is a multidisciplinary researcher with more than twelve years of research experience. He is involved in teaching, research, and consultancy activities. His research interests are information, knowledge, records, and innovation systems.

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Published

2023-06-29

How to Cite

Ilomo, M., & Mwantimwa, K. (2023). ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 11(1), 14–34. https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v11i1.178

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2023): International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge

Section

Articles

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International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge (ISSN 2336-2960) is published by the Center for International Scientific Research of VŠO and VŠPP in cooperation with the following partners:

  • University College of Business in Prague, Czech Republic
  • University of Entrepreneurship and Law, Prague, Czech Republic
  • School of Business and Administration of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Portugal
  • Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, Slovakia
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