Title: A breath of fresh air - social cognitive career theory in studying entrepreneurial intentions

Authors: Magdalena Licznerska; Pawel Ziemianski

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland ' Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland

Abstract: A pinch of robustness and a pinch of freshness create an interesting story. That is why this study focuses on entrepreneurial intentions from an alternative theoretical perspective in an underexplored context. In this paper, it is argued that social cognitive career theory is relevant to the study of individual entrepreneurial cognition and behaviour, and it offers a solid framework in entrepreneurship research. This paper expands on SCCT's conceptualisation of environmental determinants, proposing the examination of how a new combination of contextual factors (perceived educational, relational and structural support), entrepreneurial self-efficacy, individual entrepreneurial orientation and negative outcome expectations are related to entrepreneurial intentions. For this exploratory study, a questionnaire completed by a sample of students from Poland, one of the Central and Eastern European countries, was employed. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed support for the role of SCCT variables in predicting entrepreneurial intentions. The results, which offer direct useful indications for further research activities, are presented and discussed.

Keywords: entrepreneurial intentions; individual entrepreneurial orientation; IEO; entrepreneurial support; social cognitive career theory; SCCT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2022.120976

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2022 Vol.45 No.2, pp.126 - 151

Received: 01 Jun 2020
Accepted: 21 Dec 2020

Published online: 21 Feb 2022 *

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