Socio-Demographic Determinants for Entrepreneurial Intention of University Students: The Case of University of Gondar Graduating Students

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is one of the best economic development strategies being a
source of job opportunity, promoting balanced regional development,
improving the living standard of the common people, ensuring self-reliance
and balancing import–export transaction of a given country. Cognizant of these
facts, this research examined the entrepreneurial intention of 2011/2012
graduating students of University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study
was conducted through mixed research method with sequential explanatory
strategy. The findings of this study were based on information drawn from 310
sample respondents, two discussion sessions with 6 individuals and 10 key
informants. Binary logistic regression, Chi-square test, percentage and bar
graph have been used. About 56% of graduating students were not
entrepreneurially intended. Taking entrepreneurship course, role model
occupation, using of learning by doing approach, gender and family work
expectation were significant predictors of entrepreneurial intention with Exp
(B) of 5.821, 4.167, 2.94, 2.93 and 0.048 respectively. The study recommends
that entrepreneurial orientation of the content and methods of teaching, the
awareness level of role model and the surrounding community to the nature
and role of entrepreneurship should be enhanced.