Entrepreneurial Intentions among University Students: Insights from the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

In emerging nations like Ghana, unemployment has grown to be a serious worry for graduates. According to this perspective, the majority of graduates are recommended to start their own businesses rather than wait for positions from the government. This paper aims to examine the entrepreneurial intentions among University students, using variables such as Motivation, Family Background, Entrepreneurship Education and External Factors. This is a cross-sectional study where the results were based on the outcomes of a survey among the University of Cape Coast, school of Business students (n=130). Inferential statistical procedures such as the Pearson Product-Moment correlation test, Multiple Regression and Stepwise Regression Analysis were used to assess the study's specific aims and tested the four main hypotheses. The results indicated that all variables but Family Background positively influence students’ entrepreneurial intentions and that Motivation is statistically significant in analyzing the factors that significantly affect the students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Hence, more emphasis should be based on motivating the students both within and outside to enable them develop entrepreneurial mindsets. The study suggests that policymakers should focus on encouraging student entrepreneurship as it will be a proper management to deal with the severe unemployment issue in emerging countries, especially Ghana.

Keywords

• entrepreneurship
• entrepreneurial intention
• business students