Effect of Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intention: The Mediating Role of Attitude and Behavioural Control

Abstract

Despite the nationwide entrepreneurship promotion, youth still experience low level of entrepreneurial intention and high unemployment rate in the Country. In order to increase the understanding of the factors underlying Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) formation, this study investigates the roles of attitude towards entrepreneurship (ATE) and Perceived behavioural control (PBC). The study looks at how ATE and PBC may mediate the relationship between Entrepreneurship Education (EE) and EI. Using a survey of 370 university students and employing Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Partial Least Square (PLS) version 3, the results show that ATE and PBC facilitates the understanding of the relationship between EE and EI. EE therefore influence perceptions of ATE and control which ultimately leads to entrepreneurial intention. It is recommended that members of the society including friends and family should encourage the promotion of an entrepreneurially friendly culture that allows entrepreneurship education and exchange of ideas.