Fostering youth entrepreneurial intentions in Uzbekistan

Abstract

It is believed that the entrepreneurial activity starts with a thought in mind, which further can transform into intention to become an entrepreneur/self-employed. There are three major antecedents that positively influence intentions: perceived attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. Much empirical research work has been conducted to see how they influence entrepreneurial intentions of high-school students, the university students with different profiles and cultural backgrounds, as well as nascent entrepreneurs. However, not a single study used young people in general to test the impact of these factors to their entrepreneurial intentions. Therefore, this paper will focus on how the given determinants influence entrepreneurial intention of the youth in Uzbekistan. To test the relationships factor analysis, regression analysis, t-testing and ANOVA were used. The results have illustrated little predictability of perceived attitude and perceived behavioral control, and absence of relationship of subjective norm with regard to intention. The outcomes of this work have theoretical and policy implications in fostering youth entrepreneurial intentions.