Role of Entrepreneurial Attitude in Fostering Entrepreneurial Intentions: An Empirical Study on Indian Institutes of Higher Learning

Abstract

Over the past few decades, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship have emerged as significant driving forces behind economic and social advancement globally, attracting considerable attention from scholars, economists, educators, and policymakers. The contributions of new ventures in addressing economic crises, unemployment, and a lack of innovation are significant for national and regional development. This context has spurred growing scholarly interest in exploring the concept of “Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI)”. This study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among engineering students in Indian institutes of higher learning (IHLs). The research addresses a gap in the literature, which primarily focuses on developed countries, by exploring key predictors in the context of a developing country. As one of the fastest- growing major economies, India presents unique opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurship. Despite government initiatives like the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” and various support schemes, the entrepreneurial landscape in India remains underdeveloped, particularly within higher education institutions. A structured questionnaire was distributed to final-year students from ten IHLs (4 IITs, 4 NITs, and 2 IIITs) using convenience sampling, yielding 529 valid responses. The collected data was analysed using software like SPSS (22.0) and AMOS (22.0). The results indicate that personality traits, contextual factors, and institutional support significantly influence entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions. The study underscores the central role of entrepreneurial attitudes as drivers of decision-making, shaped by personality traits and contextual support. Additionally, it highlights the importance of support institutions like Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in enhancing students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The study contributes to developing effective strategies and interventions to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among engineering students, providing a framework for IHLs, practitioners, and policymakers. Ultimately, it proposes a holistic approach to nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indian IHLs, promoting innovation, economic growth, and societal advancement.