Entrepreneurial Inclination and Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Intention Among Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) Students at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)

Abstract

Purpose - Most studies on entrepreneurial intention were focused on developed countries. In developing and agriculture-based economies like the Philippines, there is limited entrepreneurial intention studies conducted among university students, who are potential entrepreneurs in the country. This study intends to bridge this gap by providing insights about the entrepreneurial inclination and entrepreneurial intention of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) students at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Design/Methodology/Approach - Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was utilized to explore factors affecting the entrepreneurial intention of the BSA students. A total of 108 students were surveyed using an online questionnaire, and data analysis tools included Cronbach’s alpha, frequency analysis, chi-square, and binary logistic regression. Data analysis focused on each batch of students. Findings - The study found that Batch 2012 and below showed a greater number of students with high personal attitude, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention. On the other hand, Batch 2015 students exhibited the lowest entrepreneurial intention. Generally, the respondents had high entrepreneurial intention; however, low perceived behavioral control or self-efficacy was also recorded. In terms of entrepreneurial inclination, all batches showed high inclination, except for Batch 2015, where the majority of the students did not have an entrepreneurial role model and had not taken an entrepreneurship course or subject. An equation model was constructed for Batch 2015 students, wherein personal attitude and subjective norm were found to be significant with intention. Research Implications - The study findings imply the need for certain colleges in UPLB to undertake strategies tailor-fit for addressing gaps in entrepreneurial inclination and intention for every batch.