Enabling Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Intentions among Emirati Students

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and examine motivational and environmental factors that impact entrepreneurial intentions of Emirati undergraduates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Using a quantitative, correlational research design this study administered the Entrepreneurial Intentions Questionnaire (EIQ), to a sample of 74 business students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Sharjah Campuses. Descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and regression models were used to analyse and evaluate hypotheses. Findings confirm a high degree of entrepreneurial intentions among Emirati undergraduates, explained by a combination of motivational and environmental variables. Emirati Business students value capabilities over social approval to opt for starting an entrepreneurial venture. Students’ entrepreneurial intentions strongly correlated with perceptions of capabilities, which signals significant implications for practitioners. The paper suggests a clear focus on enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities is an effective avenue to cultivate entrepreneurial intentions and foster entrepreneurial action. Although previous studies in the UAE context highlighted high levels of entrepreneurial intentions, understanding of which factors influence these intentions was lacking. This paper makes significant contributions to filling this gap.

A qualitative approach to the entrepreneurial education and intentions nexus: A case of Zimbabwean polytechnic students

“…Although the positive role of social approval in modelling entrepreneurship intention is not new (see Entrialgo & Iglesias 2016;Shiri et al 2017;Thomson & Minhas 2017), the current study uncovered the important role of social ambivalence and environmental dynamism in the entrepreneurship education-entrepreneurship intention interface. Notwithstanding the mixed feelings towards entrepreneurship careers expressed by their socially close participants in this study, the participants were confident of their capacity to succeed in entrepreneurship.…”

Entrepreneurship research in the Middle East and North Africa: trends, challenges, and sustainability issues

“…Some authors indicate that the feeling of autonomy is an influential factor underlying the choice to become an entrepreneur (Benchrifa et al , 2017; Al-Jubari et al , 2017), whereas others highlight the ability to earn an adequate income, achieve a high level of education or gain job stability (Atef and Al-Balushi, 2015). Thomson and Minhas (2017) study the issue from the perspective of business students, with a focus on students’ belief in their ability to start an entrepreneurial venture based on their capabilities and skills.…”

Changing Behaviours and Its Theories to Achieve the Desire for Entrepreneurship in Future Generations in the UAE and Gulf Region

“…The decision of an individual to become an entrepreneur relies on identifying opportunities in the region where one lives and on the motivation in an individual's abilities for starting and operating a business. However, perceived chances are lesser than perceived abilities in most innovation-driven countries (Thomson & Minhas, 2017). Emirati entrepreneurs have high perceptions regarding better opportunities to start a venture throughout six months, with merely 51% reporting that they have the essential abilities to commence their own business.…”