Abstract:
The current paper contributes to the entrepreneurial intention (EI) literature
by applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in a developing African
country with unique socio-economic and cultural context. Thus it examines
the influence of social norms, personal attitudes and perceived behavioural
control on business start-up intentions. Based on a quantitative approach,
primary survey data were collected from 306 final year undergraduate students
at a public university. The data were analyzed using correlation and
hierarchical regression techniques. Controlling for age, gender and field of
study, the findings indicate that each of the attitudinal antecedents is significantly
positively related to EI, with an overall R2 = 0.543. For scholars, enterprise
support practitioners and policy makers, the study shows that the TPB
can be used to understand how to promote business start-up in developing
countries with socio-economic and cultural contexts which are mostly different
from developed countries where the subject is heavily researched. Specifically,
mechanisms to develop entrepreneurial capabilities among citizens, improve
societal norms and individual attitudes toward entrepreneurship would
significantly promote entrepreneurship. The study also makes a valuable contribution
to the under-researched context of Zambia and African entrepreneurship.
