Factors Related to Entrepreneurial Intention Among Engineering and Technology Undergraduates in Thailand: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Conference proceedings article
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Author list: Piyanan Wongtaweelat, Tanes Tanitteerapan, Mongkhon Narmluk, Sirimonpak Suwannakhun
Publication year: 2024
Start page: 1463
End page: 1475
Number of pages: 13
URL: https://papers.iafor.org/proceedings/conference-proceedings-ACE2024/
Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to explore the factors related to entrepreneurial intention of undergraduate engineering and technology students in Thailand. The sample group consisted of 420 valid questionnaires from final-year bachelor's degree students in engineering and technology from 7 public and private universities. The research tool was a questionnaire on students' opinions regarding various factors, including attitudes, selfefficacy, social norms, entrepreneurial network relations, and entrepreneurship policies that promote entrepreneurial intention to become entrepreneurs. The conceptual framework was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Data analysis used first- and secondorder Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The results showed that all five factors positively and significantly affect students' entrepreneurial intentions at a good level, with CFI=1.00, NFI=0.99, and GFI=0.97. Component weights were statistically significant at the .01 level in all aspects, ranging from .84 to .95, indicating that all 5 components are statistically significant. Factors related to entrepreneurial intention, from most to least influential, are self-efficacy (0.95), entrepreneurial network relationships (0.90), social norms (0.85), and entrepreneurship policy and attitude, both equally at (0.84). The research found that students tend to view various situations as good opportunities to start their own new businesses and are confident that they have sufficient knowledge to start their own new businesses. As a result, this research can be used to revise university curricula and serve as a guide to develop and promote entrepreneurship for engineering students after graduation.
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