An examination of the entrepreneurial intent of MBA students in Australia using the entrepreneurial intention questionnaire

The purpose of this paper is to assess the entrepreneurial intentions of MBA students in Australia. Linan and Chen’s Entrepreneurial Intentions Questionnaire (EIQ) was used for this purpose which, in part, is based on Azjen’s theory of planned behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Using a pragmatic approach, a purposive convenience sample of 249 students from an Australian university was used. Permission was granted from the MBA director to visit a number of classes to distribute and collect completed survey forms. Findings The psychometric properties of the EIQ were confirmed. However, the “subjective norm” predictor variable was not corroborated as an antecedent of “entrepreneurial intent (EI)”. Research limitations/implications These findings cannot be truly generalised given the nature of the research design. Furthermore, the intentions of students may be different by the time they graduate. Practical implications The weak relationship between subjective norm and intent questions the value of networking with industry groups. University education should focus on developing those characteristics associated with the remaining independent variables. For example, a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship should be developed together with confidence building and self-efficacy linked to “perceived behavioural control”. Originality/value The psychometric properties of the EIQ were confirmed but, unlike other studies, the “subjective norm” predictor variable was not corroborated as an antecedent of EI. Therefore, the value of support from family, friends and associated support organizations such as Chambers of Commerce become questionable in terms of EI.

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