Uncovering the Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students: An Application of Shapero's Model

Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is regarded as one of the most important indicators of entrepreneurial activities and behaviors, including the process of launching a new enterprise. While research on entrepreneurial intention has increased globally in recent years, there has been little research on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). This study examines the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students in the KRI, concentrating on perceived desirability, perceived feasibility, and propensity to act. A survey involving 213 business students from two universities in the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniyah was conducted, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis in SPSS. The findings demonstrated a positive correlation between the perceived desirability and the business student’s entrepreneurial intentions but no significant connection with perceived feasibility. These results indicate that students’ choice to pursue entrepreneurship is mainly driven by their willingness and interest in the field, highlighting the significance of the psychological elements in Shapero and Sokol's model for enhancing students' entrepreneurial intentions. The study adds to the existing literature on factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among university students in developing countries, providing valuable insights for university administration and educators in developing curricula and programs that align with students' goals in shaping their future endeavours, as well as for policymakers seeking to promote an entrepreneurial culture among university students in the KRI region.