A Quantitative Approach Assessing Students'Attitude Towards Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Intentions in a Private University in Zhanjiang, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/shserj.2025.22Keywords:
Attitude, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Intentions, University Student, ChinaAbstract
Purpose: This study proposes hypothetical relationships among variables through previous theories and literature to investigate the factors impacting attitudes towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intentions of students in a private university in Zhanjiang, China. The research model includes perceived behavioral control, proactive personality, entrepreneurship education, subjective norms, attitudes toward entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial intentions. Research design, data, and methodology: This study employed quantitative analysis to obtain data by distributing survey questionnaires to the target population. The Item-Objective Consistency Index and pilot testing were conducted before large-scale data collection. The sampling procedures involve purposive, stratified random and convenience sampling. Subsequently, Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to analyze the data and test the proposed research hypotheses. Results: It indicates that perceived behavioral control, proactive personality, and attitudes towards entrepreneurship significantly impact entrepreneurial intentions among university students. Entrepreneurship education and subjective norms significantly influenced attitudes toward entrepreneurship and indirectly influenced entrepreneurial intentions. Conclusions: The empirical data significantly supported five of the six hypotheses proposed to fulfill research objectives. Therefore, the stakeholder should attach great importance to these factors and focus on students in formulating policies, providing financial support and subsidies, and offering courses, thus enhancing students' motivation and initiative in participating in entrepreneurial activities.
References
Aboobaker, N., & Renjini, D. (2020). Human capital and entrepreneurial intentions: do entrepreneurship education and training provided by universities add value? On The Horizon, 28(2), 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/oth-11-2019-0077
Acheampong, G., & Tweneboah-Koduah, E. Y. (2017). Does past failure inhibit future entrepreneurial intent? Evidence from Ghana. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(5), 849-863. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsbed-03-2017-0128
Adu, I. N., Boakye, K. O., Suleman, A., & Bingab, B. B. B. (2020). Exploring the factors that mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions among undergraduate students in Ghana. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 14(2), 215-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjie-07-2019-0052
Aga, M. K. (2023). The mediating role of perceived behavioral control in the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Ethiopia. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00297-w
Ahlstrom, D., Yang, X., Wang, L., & Wu, C. (2018). A global perspective of entrepreneurship and innovation in China. The Multinational Business Review, 26(4), 302-318.
https://doi.org/10.1108/mbr-08-2018-0058
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-t
Alkhalaf, T., Durrah, O., Almohammad, D., & Ahmed, F. (2022). Can entrepreneurial knowledge boost the entrepreneurial intent of French students? The mediation role of behavioral antecedents. Management Research Review, 45(12), 1545-1571. https://doi.org/10.1108/mrr-06-2021-0432
Al-Mamary, Y. H., & Shamsuddin, A. (2015). Testing of the technology acceptance model in context of yemen. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4), 268-273. https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p268
Alshagawi, M., & Ghaleb, M. M. (2022). Entrepreneurial intentions of university students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Innovation Science, 15(4), 581-597.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ijis-05-2021-0083
APAC. (2020, July 21). China spent an estimated $279bn on R&D last year. https://businesschief.asia/technology/china-spent-an-estimated-dollar279bn-on-randd-last-year?page=1
Ayuni, R. F. (2018). The role of family business and education in forming actual entrepreneurs. The 2018 International Conference of Organizational Innovation (ICOI-2018), 329-340. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v3i10.3384
Bateman, T. S., & Crant, J. M. (1993). The proactive component of organizational behavior: A measure and correlates. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 14(2), 103-118.
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030140202
Bazkiaei, H. A., Khan, N. M., Irshad, A., & Ahmed, A. (2021). Pathways toward entrepreneurial intention among Malaysian universities’ students. Business Process Management Journal, 27(4), 1009-1032. https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-01-2021-0021
Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 107(2), 238-246. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238
Bird, B., & Jelinek, M. (1989). The Operation of Entrepreneurial Intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 13(2), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/104225878801300205
Bustamante, C., Poblete, C., & Amorós, J. E. (2020). Entrepreneurial intentions in the context of a natural disaster. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 17(5), 1198-1217. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoem-10-2019-0846
Cantillon, R. (1931). Essai sur la nature du commerce en general (1st ed.). Macmillan.
Choukir, J., Aloulou, W. J., Ayadi, F., & Mseddi, S. (2019). Influences of role models and gender on Saudi Arabian freshman students’ entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 11(2), 186-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijge-08-2018-0083
De Clercq, D., Honig, B., & Martin, B. J. (2013). The roles of learning orientation and passion for work in the formation of entrepreneurial intention. International Small Business Journal, 31(6), 652-676. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242611432360
Dixit, J. K., Agarwal, S., Ramadani, V., & Agrawal, V. (2022). Assessing the factors of sustainable entrepreneurial attitude in context of educational institutions: AHP and DEMATEL approach. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior &Amp; Research, 29(2), 506-529.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-05-2022-0446
Dragan, D., & Topolšek, D. (2014). Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling: Review, Methodology and Practical Applications. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Sustainable Transport, 6(4), 1-28.
Duong, C. (2021). Exploring the link between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: the moderating role of educational fields. Journal of Education and Training, 64(7), 869-891. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-05-2021-0173
Elali, W., & Al-Yacoub, B. (2016). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intentions among Kuwaitis. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 12(1), 18-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/wjemsd-07-2015-0029
Farooq, M. S. (2018). Modelling the significance of social support and entrepreneurial skills for determining entrepreneurial behaviour of individuals. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 14(3), 242-266. https://doi.org/10.1108/wjemsd-12-2017-0096
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of marketing research, 18(1), 39-50.
https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Galvão, A., Marques, C. S., & Marques, C. P. (2018). Antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions among students in vocational training programmes. Education + Training, 60(7/8), 719-734. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-03-2017-0034
Global manufacturing output. (2021, August 12). China accounts for 30% of global manufacturing output. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2022-06/15/content_78271432.htm
Gubik, A. S. (2021). Entrepreneurial career: Factors influencing the decision of Hungarian students. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(3), 43-58.
https://doi.org/10.15678/eber.2021.090303
GUESSS News. (2021). Global Report. https://www.guesssurvey.org/
Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (1998). Multivariate Data Analysis with Readings. The Statistician, 37(4/5), 484. https://doi.org/10.2307/2348783
Hair, J. F., Hollingsworth, C. L., Randolph, A. B., & Chong, A. Y. (2017). An updated and expanded assessment of PLS-SEM in information systems research. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 117(3), 442-458. https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-04-2016-0130
Hamid, M. R. A., Sami, W., & Sidek, M. H. M. (2017). Discriminant Validity Assessment: Use of Fornell & Larcker criterion versus HTMT Criterion. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 890, 012163.
He, C., Lu, J., & Qian, H. (2018). Entrepreneurship in China. Small Business Economics, 52(3), 563-572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-017-9972-5
Jiatong, W., Murad, M., Bajun, F., Tufail, M. S., Mirza, F., & Rafiq, M. (2021). Impact of Entrepreneurial Education, Mindset, and Creativity on Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 724440. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724440
Jin, D., Liu, X., Zhang, F., & Wen, Z. (2023). Entrepreneurial role models and college students’ entrepreneurial calling: A moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1-10.
Jöreskog, K. G. (1969). A general approach to confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis. Psychometrika, 34(2), 183-202. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02289343
Karimi, S., J.A. Biemans, H., Lans, T., Chizari, M., & Mulder, M. (2014). Effects of role models and gender on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. European Journal of Training and Development, 38(8), 694-727. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejtd-03-2013-0036
Kumar, R., & Shukla, S. (2022). Creativity, Proactive Personality and Entrepreneurial Intentions: Examining the Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy. Global Business Review, 23(1), 101-118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150919844395
Li, G., Long, Z., Jiang, Y., Huang, Y., Wang, P., & Zj, H. (2022). Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship policy and entrepreneurial competence: mediating effect of entrepreneurship competition in China. Education + Training, 65(4), 607-629. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-06-2021-0218
Li, Z., Zhou, X., Jung, S., & Li, J. (2019). China’s 40-year road to innovation. Chinese Management Studies, 14(2), 335-357. https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-01-2019-0019
Lim, S., & Duang-Ek-Anong, S. (2021). Determinants of Intention to Use DevOps in Cambodia’s Technology Industry. AU-GSB E-JOURNAL, 14(2), 27-39. https://doi.org/10.14456/augsbejr.2021.12
Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. (2009). Development and Cross–Cultural Application of a Specific Instrument to Measure Entrepreneurial Intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593-617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00318.x
Liñán, F., Urbano, D., & Guerrero, M. (2011). Regional variations in entrepreneurial cognitions: Start-up intentions of university students in Spain. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 23(3-4), 187-215.
Liu, T., Walley, K., Pugh, G., & Adkins, P. (2020). Entrepreneurship education in China. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 12(2), 305-326.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08985620903233929
Liu, X., Lin, C., Zhao, G., & Zhao, D. (2019). Research on the Effects of Entrepreneurial Education and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy on college students’ entrepreneurial intention. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00869
Liu, Y., Li, M., Li, X., & Zeng, J. (2022). Entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: The moderating role of the personality and family economic status. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.978480
Lu, G., Ya-Ping, S., & Pan, B. (2021). How University Entrepreneurship Support Affects College Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions: An Empirical Analysis from China. Sustainability, 13(6), 3224. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063224
Meeralam, E. A., & Adeinat, I. (2021). Understanding the role of universities in fostering female entrepreneurship in the emerging ecosystem. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 37(3), 388-404. https://doi.org/10.1108/gm-02-2021-0041
Mensah, I. K., Zeng, G., Luo, C., Xiao, Z., & Lu, M. (2021). Exploring the Predictors of Chinese College Students’ Entrepreneurial Intention. SAGE Open, 11(3), 215824402110299. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211029941
Millman, C., Li, Z., Matlay, H., & Wong, W. (2010). Entrepreneurship education and students’ internet entrepreneurship intentions. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 17(4), 569-590. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626001011088732
Munir, H., Jianfeng, C., & Ramzan, S. (2019). Personality traits and theory of planned behavior comparison of entrepreneurial intentions between an emerging economy and a developing country. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior &Amp; Research, 25(3), 554-580.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-05-2018-0336
Mustafa, M., Hernandez, E. M., Mahon, C., & Chee, L. L. (2016). Entrepreneurial intentions of university students in an emerging economy. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 8(2), 162-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeee-10-2015-0058
Mwiya, B., Wang, Y., Shikaputo, C., Kaulung’ombe, B., & Kayekesi, M. (2017). Predicting the Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students: Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour in Zambia, Africa. Open Journal of Business and Management, 5(4), 592-610.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbm.2017.54051
Mykolenko, O., Ippolitova, I., Doroshenko, H., & Strapchuk, S. (2021). The impact of entrepreneurship education and cultural context on entrepreneurial intentions of Ukrainian students: the mediating role of attitudes and perceived control. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 12(3), 519-536. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-08-2020-0190
Ng, H. S., Kee, D. M. H., & Khan, M. M. (2021). Effects of personality, education, and opportunities on entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Education and Training, 63(7/8), 992-1014. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-02-2019-0040
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Otache, I., Umar, K., Audu, Y., & Onalo, U. (2021). The effects of entrepreneurship education on students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Education and Training, 63(7/8), 967-991. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-01-2019-0005
Ozili, P. K. (2022). The acceptable R-Square in empirical modelling for social science research. Social Science Research Network, 1(2), 1-10.
Pedroso, R., Zanetello, L., Guimaraes, L., Pettenon, M., Goncalves, V., Scherer, J., Kessler, F., & Pechansky, F. (2016). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the crack use relapse scale (CURS). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 43(3), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000081
Prabhu, V. P., McGuire, S. A., Drost, E. A., & Kwong, K. (2012). Proactive personality and entrepreneurial intent. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 18(5), 559-586. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551211253937
Rani, R., & Kumar, N. (2021). The dynamics of link between entrepreneurship, government support and economic growth: Evidence from BRICS countries. Journal of Public Affairs, 22(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2741
Santos, J. R. A. (1999). Cronbach’s alpha: a tool for assessing the reliability of scales. Journal of Extension, 37(2), 1-5.
Sanyang, S. E., & Huang, W.-C. (2009). Entrepreneurship and economic development: the EMPRETEC showcase. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(3), 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-008-0106-z
Shah, I. A., Amjed, S., & Jaboob, S. (2020). The moderating role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Economic Structures, 9(1), 1-20.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-020-00195-4
Sharma, G. P., Verma, R. C., & Pathare, P. (2005). Mathematical modeling of infrared radiation thin layer drying of onion slices. Journal of Food Engineering, 71(3), 282-286.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.02.010
Si, W., Yan, Q., Wang, W., Meng, L., & Mao-Cong, Z. (2022). Research on the influence of Non-Cognitive Ability and Social Support perception on college students’ entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 11981.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911981
Sica, C., & Ghisi, M. (2007). The Italian versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory-II: Psychometric properties and discriminant power. In M.A. Lange (Ed.), Leading - Edge psychological tests and testing research (pp. 27-50). Nova.
Sidratulmunthah, A., Hassian, S., & Imran Malik, M. (2018). Towards nurturing the entrepreneurial intentions of neglected female business students of Pakistan through proactive personality, self-efficacy, and university support factors. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hussain, 12(3), 363-378. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjie-03-2018-0015
Soper, D. S. (2022). A-priori sample size calculator for structural equation models. Daniel Soper.
https://www.danielsoper.com/statcalc/calculator.aspx?id=89
Stimulate more college students' innovation and entrepreneurship. (2021, July 25). potential. Exploration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education for College Student. https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1742732063898805602&wfr=spider&for=pc
Trivedi, R. (2016). Does university play significant role in shaping entrepreneurial intention? A cross-country comparative analysis. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 23(3), 790-811. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsbed-10-2015-0149
Vamvaka, V., Stoforos, C., Palaskas, T., & Botsaris, C. (2020). Attitude toward entrepreneurship, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention: dimensionality, structural relationships, and gender differences. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 9(1), 11-20.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-020-0112-0
Wright, E. M., Feng, S., & Zheng, Y. (2021). Unemployed graduate to the next Jack Ma? A counter-narrative to the entrepreneurship movement in higher education. Higher Education, 83(4), 863-880.
Wu, J. H., & Wang, Y. M. (2006). Measuring KMS success: A respecification of the DeLone and McLean’s model. Information and Management, 43(6), 728-739.
Wu, L., Jiang, S., Wang, X., Yu, L., Wang, Y., & Pan, H. (2022). Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions of college students: The mediating role of entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and the moderating role of entrepreneurial competition experience. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 22-40. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.727826
Yao, X., Wu, X., & Long, D. (2016). University students’ entrepreneurial tendency in China. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 8(1), 60-81.
https://doi.org/10.1108/jeee-03-2015-0021
You, Y., Zhu, F., & Xiaohao, D. (2017). College Student Entrepreneurship in China: Results from a National Survey of Directors of Career Services in Chinese Higher Education Institutions. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 19(2), 11-30.
Zampetakis, L. A., Kafetsios, K., Bouranta, N., Dewett, T., & Moustakis, V. S. (2009). On the relationship between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 15(6), 595-618. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552550910995452
Zhang, W. (n.d.). Spending on R&D in China hits new high. China Daily. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202301/21/WS63cb1f80a31057c47ebaaeed.html
Zong, Z. (n.d.). MOE press conference kicks off finals of 7th "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition - Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. http://en.moe.gov.cn/news/press_releases/202110/t20211021_574088.html
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Xiushui Lin

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The submitting author warrants that the submission is original and that she/he is the author of the submission together with the named co-authors; to the extend the submission incorporates text passages, figures, data, or other material from the work of others, the submitting author has obtained any necessary permission.
Articles in this journal are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY What does this mean?). This is to get more legal certainty about what readers can do with published articles, and thus a wider dissemination and archiving, which in turn makes publishing with this journal more valuable for you, the authors.