Role of entrepreneurial motivation on entrepreneurial intentions and behaviour: theory of planned behaviour extension on engineering students in Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to extend theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model by focussing on intention-action gap, which is considered by academic researchers as under-researched area. It further examines the moderating role of entrepreneurial motivation between intention and behaviour (action) to enhance predictability of TPB on senior level engineering students in Pakistan. Survey conducted with 448 engineering students from four major engineering institutions for data collection. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and partial least square (PLS) method has been employed for analysing PLS path modelling, hypotheses testing, mediation and moderation analysis. Results reveal that attitude and perceived behaviour control are positively related to entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) and predictors of EIs have an overall variance of 48% in EIs. Entrepreneurial motivation significantly effects intention-behaviour link in TPB which is novel finding in extension of TPB. This is the first study of its kind which explains intention-action gap and include entrepreneurial motivation in TPB as researchers considered longitudinal studies appropriate to investigate intention-action gap. Results reinforced the idea of incorporation of supporting constructs in TPB. Conceptual model contributes theoretically to the existing framework of TPB by enhancing predictive power for better understanding of entrepreneurial behavioural development. Study provide base for future studies on intention-behaviour link in TPB to explain entrepreneurial behaviour for application in various perspectives.

Human Capital and Theory of Planned Behavior: Unraveling Entrepreneurial Intentions of IT Students in Pakistan

“…The results showed the consistency of the TPB and all antecedents of the TPB significantly contribute to explaining the entrepreneurial intentions among IT students relating to Pakistani context. Previous studies also show the consistency of the TPB in predicting entrepreneurial intentions among students from various disciplines regarding Pakistani context (Alam et al, 2019;Farrukh et al, 2018;Munir et al, 2019). The role of subjective norms in explaining entrepreneurial intentions differ across cultures and its effects on intentions according to the characteristics of the students.…”

Personality traits and intrapreneurial behaviour

“…As constructs used in the model are latent constructs with multiple items of measurement, hence, multivariate technique SEM is most appropriate for this study. SEM is a widely used approach in management science and entrepreneurship based studies (Alam et al, 2019). In this study, PLS-SEM is used as it is considered suitable for complex models containing Role of knowledge sharing behaviour latent variables and the sole purpose is the investigation of relationships at the theoretical level (Hair et al, 2019).…”

Intrapreneurship concepts for engineers: a systematic review of the literature on its theoretical foundations and agenda for future research

“…The first gap is related to the relationship between motivation and intrapreneurship, as studies highlighting the role of motivation in intrapreneurship are rare. Although more established research is available on motivation and entrepreneurship (Alam et al, 2019). Various research studies have also reported this area in future research directions.…”

“…There is an inherent difference in the motivation level of individuals towards intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship. Motivation studies on the intrapreneurial engagement of engineers are limited though research on motivation of engineers towards entrepreneurial intentions is more established (Alam et al, 2019). Menzel et al (2007) mentioned that the sole beneficiary of entrepreneurial actions is individual.…”

“…The scarcity of literature on aspects of engineers and engineering firms is restricted to intrapreneurship. While aspects of engineers and engineering firms in entrepreneurial context have been adequately studied by previous researchers as an appropriate research domain (Alam, Kousar, & Rehman, 2019;Berglund & Wennberg, 2006;Dabbagh & Menascé, 2006;Del Vitto, 2008;Duval-Couetil, Shartrand, & Reed, 2016;Souitaris, Zerbinati, & Al-Laham, 2007). This SLR is first of its kind in which research so far conducted on aspects related to intrapreneurship of engineers and engineering firms have been reviewed.…”