The Influence of Intrinsic Factors on Personal Attitude to Start a Farming Business: The Moderating Role of Gender

• Published in: Journal of Management and Entrepreneurship Research (Online) Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 123 - 137
• Main Authors: Mavhungu, Mbulaheni, Dhiwayo, Sheperd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universitas Islam Nahdlatul Ulama Jepara 27.12.2023
• Subjects: agricultural students; creativity; gender; motivation; personal attitude; proactiveness
• ISSN: 2723-1658; 2723-1666
• DOI: 10.34001/jmer.2023.12.04.2-43

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of intrinsic factors (proactiveness, motivation, creativity) on the personal attitude of agricultural students to start a farming business in South Africa. This relationship was looked at from gender perspective. Research Design & Methods: An estimated 3,486 students were enrolled for various agriculture-related qualifications in various 27 institutions of higher learning in South Africa when this cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out. Data from 421 agricultural students were collected through a Prospective Farmers Profile Questionnaire at six institutions of higher learning in South Africa. Findings: The study finds no significant gender influence on all intrinsic factors and also on the personal attitude of agricultural students to start a farming business. The results further revealed that personal attitude to start a business is predicted by intrinsic factors, motivation, and creativity, but not proactiveness. Implications and Recommendations: Entrepreneurial syllabi should aim to equip students with intrinsic factors as these shape the personal attitude to start a business. It is a positive personal attitude that will likely result in a start-up. Farming entrepreneurship, especially among the youth will assist in employment creation as well as food security, two problems that many countries are currently facing. Contribution & Value Added: Proactiveness is one of the most important dimensions of entrepreneurship but agricultural students do not consider it significant in their personal attitude to start a business. Proactiveness should be built into the syllabi for students to be better acquainted with this critical business start-up element.