Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Intention Among Business Undergraduate Students in Addis Ababa University
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Date
2025-06-20
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AAU
Abstract
This research examines the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among undergraduate
students in the business programs of Addis Ababa University. Recognizing entrepreneurship as a
primary driver of economic development and a crucial response to rising youth unemployment, this
study investigates both individual and contextual factors driving these intentions. The study adopts
a quantitative research approach, utilizing structured questionnaires to examine the relationship
between key independent variables and the dependent variable, Entrepreneurial Intention. Key
constructs examined include innovativeness, self-efficacy, pro-activeness, risk-taking, initial capital,
and the mediating effect of entrepreneurship education. Quantitative analysis was conducted using
SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression
models. Results indicate that innovativeness, self-efficacy, pro-activeness, and initial capital have
significant positive impacts on the entrepreneurial intentions of students. Conversely, risk-taking
was not found to be a significant predictor. Notably, Entrepreneurial Education exhibited a partial
mediating role in the relationship between initial capital and intention, yet its direct influence was
insignificant, reflecting ambivalent student perceptions of its effectiveness. The study concludes that
fostering entrepreneurial traits among students requires more than mere curriculum inclusion; it
demands experiential, hands-on learning within a supportive institutional culture. Policy
recommendations include enhancing entrepreneurship programs, increasing access to seed funding,
and actively promoting a culture of innovation and self-efficacy in university settings. Such
interventions are crucial for addressing youth unemployment and fostering a sustainable
entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ethiopia.