Factors Influencing Intention towards Technopreneurship among University Students

Abstract

The number of youths embarking on entrepreneurship in Malaysia is still low despite various efforts have been exerted by the government. Specifically, technopreneurship which is an important new breed of entrepreneurship in the post COVID-19 era is facing various challenges, especially in the development of competitive technopreneurs. To date, there is a lack in the literature pertaining to intentional-based studies, specifically on technopreneurship. As such, this study was motivated to identify the individual factors that influence university students’ intention towards technopreneurship. It developed a research model based on the concepts of self-efficacy and individual entrepreneurial orientation. A total of 196 university students from a public university were surveyed through self-administered questionnaires. The results indicated that self-efficacy, namely computer capability and Internet ability, as well as individual entrepreneurial orientation positively and significantly affected intention towards technopreneurship. Several suggestions were given to strategize technopreneurship development in the country. For instance, higher learning institutions should offer non-traditional technopreneurship curriculum and upgrade technological infrastructure. In the meantime, government was also urged to provide conducive business environment and technopreneurship funding.

Received: 29 October 2020 / Accepted: 9 December 2020 / Published: 17 January 2021