Factors affecting entrepreneurial intentions among youths in Vietnam

• Published in: Children and youth services review Vol. 99; pp. 186 - 193
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Anh Tuan, Do, Thi Hai Ha, Vu, Thi Bich Thao, Dang, Kim Anh, Nguyen, Hoang Long
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Attitudes; Behavior; Business; Companies; Creativity; Demography; Desire; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Intention; Internet; Locus of control; Money; Perceived control; Provinces; Social norms; Sociodemographics; Success; Vietnam; Youth; Youths; Vietnam; Intention; Youths; Vietnam; Entrepreneurship
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.01.039

Promoting entrepreneurship among youths is critical to achieve of the goal of the Vietnamese Government as having one million businesses operating effectively until 2020. This requires an understand of entrepreneurial intentions in this population, as well as related potential barriers and facilitators. However, evidence about entrepreneurial intentions in Vietnamese youths is limited. This study aims to clarify the factors influencing the entrepreneurial intentions among youths in Vietnam. An online survey was conducted in 1600 youths from ten provinces including Hai Duong, Nghe An, Da Nang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Binh Dinh, Ho Chi Minh city, Bac Ninh, Ha Noi and Bac Giang. The Theory of Planned Behaviors was applied to build a conceptual framework. Instruments included socio-demographic characteristics, scales to measure entrepreneurial intentions, social norms, attitude toward entrepreneurship, perceived behavioral control, attitudes toward money, desire for success, education about entrepreneurship, experiences with entrepreneurship, business environment, and creativity. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the connections between entrepreneurial intentions and potential antecedents. The level of entrepreneurial intentions was medium (Mean = 3.400; SD = 0.870). The mean score of “Desire for success and challenge” was the highest at 3.784 (SD = 0.695), following by “Entrepreneurship education” at 3.637 (SD = 0.801). The lowest score was 3.071 (SD = 0.799) in “Perceived Behavioral Control”. Results show that Desire for success and challenge, Attitude toward Entrepreneurship, Perceived Behavioral Control, Experiences with Entrepreneurship, and Creativity were positively correlated with the entrepreneurial intentions among Vietnamese youths. In which, Attitude toward Entrepreneurship had the highest influence (Adjusted Coefficient = 0.293; p < .01), following by Desire for Success and Challenge (Adjusted Coefficient = 0.248; p < .01) and Perceived Behavioral Control (Adjusted Coefficient = 0.231; p < .01). This study highlighted the medium level of entrepreneurial intentions among Vietnamese youths. Our study highlighted the medium levels of entrepreneurial intentions among Vietnamese youths. Providing innovative educational support and organizing business contests in school, as well as developing youth entrepreneurship-oriented policies that help them to access sufficient resources for starting a business are vital to encourage youths' interest in entrepreneurship. •Medium entrepreneurial intentions among youths.•Desire for success and challenge, Creativity, Attitude and Experiences with Entrepreneurship were facilitators.