IJMB Journal – Abstracts
International Journal of Management and Business
IJMB Volume II, Issue 2
Entrepreneurial Intentions among Saudi University Students: The Role of Motivations and Start-Up Problems
Wafa N. Almobaireeka, Ahmed A. Alshumaimerib and Tatiana S. Manolova*c
abKing Saud University, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia
awmobaireek@ksu.edu.sa, balshum@ksu.edu.sa
*cBentley University, Waltham, MA 02452, USA. tmanolova@bentley.edu
ABSTRACT
Using Azjen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we study the effect of entrepreneurial motivations and perceived start-up problems on the entrepreneurial intentions of Saudi university youth. To explore our research questions, we use data from a unique survey of the entrepreneurial attitudes of students at King Saud University, the oldest and largest university in Saudi Arabia, conducted in the Spring of 2010 (n=952). We find that the strife for independence is a very strong predictor of expressing entrepreneurial intentions and its effect is universal across gender. While most of the potential start-up problems are assessed as serious by both men and women, their individual effect is not so strong as to significantly affect the likelihood of expressing entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, as can be expected from the different socialization experiences of young Saudi men and women, there are significant differences by gender in both the motivations for and perceived problems in starting a new venture. Theoretical and public policy implications are discussed.
Keywords: entrepreneurial motivations, theory of planned behavior, university youth, Saudi Arabia
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