Entrepreneurial Intentions among Saudi University Students: Examining the Role of Personality Traits, Demographic Factors and Government Support

Managing economic development process without entrepreneurial activities is like trying to drive a car without fuel. Governments in developed and developing countries have been trying to boost entrepreneurial activities by offering direct and indirect support. In this regard, researchers have been trying to highlight different factors that contribute to enhance entrepreneurial activityes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of personality traits, demographic factors and government support on entrepreneurial intentions among Saudi university students. Data was collected from 802 final year university students by using convenient sampling method. Multiple regression and test with SPSS 20 were used to analyze the data. Findings of this study reveal that female students have lower entrepreneurial intentions as compare to male students. In addition, with reference to education major, students with major in business have higher entrepreneurial intention as compare to students with non-business major. Similarly, students with prior entrepreneurial experience have higher entrepreneurial intentions as compare to their counterpart. The findings of this study also explain that students who have family business display higher entrepreneurial intentions  as  compare  to  students  without family business. Finally, results of this study reveal that the need of achievement and locus of control are the personality traits that affect entrepreneurial intentions most significantly. In addition, government support significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions of students in Saudi universities. Implications for entrepreneurial researchers, policy makers at government level and top management in universities have been discussed.