Title: Perceived desirability, feasibility, and social norms as antecedents on hospitality students' entrepreneurial intention in Malaysia: does gender make a difference?

Authors: Muhamad Nizam Saadin; Mustafa Daskin

Addresses: Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Environmental Management, University Utara Malaysia, Sintok, 06010, Kedah, Malaysia ' Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Environmental Management, University Utara Malaysia, Sintok, 06010, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to test a research model that investigates the effects of perceived desirability, social norms, and perceived feasibility as antecedents on entrepreneurial intention in a Malaysian context. Data for this empirical investigation were gathered from a sample of full-time undergraduate hospitality management programme students. Respondents self-administered the questionnaires. A total number of 427 questionnaires were obtained in the research location. Results based on hierarchical regression analysis reveal that perceived desirability, social norm, and perceived feasibility are significant predictors on entrepreneurial intention. Results also demonstrate that female students are more willing on their entrepreneurial intentions when compared to male counterparts. The current study provides further contribution to tourism and hospitality management literature and provides useful guidelines to practitioners as well.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; self-employment; social norms; perceived desirability; Malaysia; perceived feasibility; hospitality students; entrepreneurial intention; gender; hospitality management; tourism; entrepreneurs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2015.070218

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2015 Vol.25 No.4, pp.456 - 474

Received: 24 Oct 2014
Accepted: 22 Dec 2014
Published online: 29 Jun 2015 *

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