Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intentions: Impact of Culture, Gender, Self-Esteem, and Self-Efficacy on University Students

The main objective of this study is to examine the socio-cultural and individual factors that influence the entrepreneurial intentions among students studying the Public Sector Universities in Sindh Province. In the cultural context, three variables i.e., collectivism, power distance and uncertainty avoidance, one variable in social context i.e., gender-role orientation and two variables in individual context i.e., self-esteem and self-efficacy are used and empirically tested through the SEM model. It was found that all three components of culture have been negatively correlated with entrepreneurial intentions. These results infer that the prevalent family culture in Sindh Province is not supportive of entrepreneurial intention as respondents found strict control of elder family members over their future career choices, depressing and a hurdle in their way to become entrepreneurs. The feminist gender orientation of an individual is found to have a negative effect on the development of entrepreneurial spirit. This stands in support of the dominant notion that masculine gender orientation is required to become a vibrant entrepreneur. Under the masculine approach, an individual prefers to have characteristics like tough, assertive, calculated and pursue material success in life; contrary to the feminist orientation which focuses on being tender, modest and pursuing the relational quality in life. The findings reveal that individuals who carry a high worth for themselves and believe in their abilities to address the challenges of running a business tend to have more entrepreneurial intentions. Lastly, the role of gender as moderator shows that the cultural barriers have a more negative impact on the formation of entrepreneurial intents of female than male students. Based on the findings of this study and informal observations from students during the field, it is recommended that the policymakers should invest in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on the provision of entrepreneurial educational infrastructure, building family & culture support structures that can help potential students enhance their self-esteem, self-efficacy and get necessary socio-cultural capital to become successful entrepreneurs.