Determinants of entrepreneurial intentions: an empirical study on higher education students

Maria José Madeira; Rui Santos; Filipe Duarte; Jacinta Moreira; Rudson Gama

Maria José Madeira CIEO, University of Beira Interior Management and Economics Department
Rui Santos University of Beira Interior Management and Economics Department
Filipe Duarte University of Beira Interior Management and Economics Department
Jacinta Moreira School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria Management and Economics Department
Rudson Gama University of Beira Interior Management and Economics Department

Resumo

The purpose of this investigation is to analyse the effect that the Entrepreneurship Education, self-efficacy, family history and propensity to take risks in the entrepreneurial intention of Portuguese higher education students in the central region. The theoretical support was corroborated with the empirical literature at Entrepreneurship Education. To test the formulated hypotheses empirically. The methods of factorial analysis and logistic regression were applied. For the analysis of the relationships between the variables a multiple linear regression was performed, where it is possible to identify which determinants (independent variables) that predict the intentions / attitudes (dependent variables) of Portuguese higher education students The results concluded that when analysing the relationship between the teaching of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial intention it is possible to verify that, the teaching of entrepreneurship has a significant influence on the entrepreneurial intention. This research aims to contribute to the development of entrepreneurial activities in higher education students throughout Portugal and the proactivity of political and school agents in the dynamization of entrepreneurship in young students.