Entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among Nigerian undergraduates

Abstract

Economic development is largely driven by the business activities of entrepreneurs- those individuals who create private enterprises. For this development to occur, however, a nation must possess a significant mass of business people. The psychological literature suggests that attitude and intention precede corresponding behaviours; and in terms of entrepreneurship, research evidence suggests that university education promotes positive entrepreneurial attitude and intention, and ultimately entrepreneurial behaviour in individuals. Graduates are therefore regarded as potential entrepreneurs: the higher the number of undergraduates who hold positive entrepreneurial attitude and intention, the higher the number likely to create their own businesses after their graduation. This study therefore was designed to examine the prevalence of entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among Nigerian undergraduates; and to investigate the roles of gender, Locus of Control, parents’ occupation and social support as possible predictor variables. Male students were found to be more internal on the LOC trait than the females. This internality, as well as the entrepreneurial occupations and approval of respondents’ mothers significantly predicted a positive attitude toward entrepreneurship. The paper concluded by recommending measures that can strengthen positive entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions in Nigerian undergraduates, and ultimately enhance business orientation rates among the nation’s graduates.

KEY DESCRIPTORS: Entrepreneurial attitude, Entrepreneurial intention, Undergraduate Students, Locus of Control, Parental Support