Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Intention: The Mediating Role of Access to Finance and Incubation Center

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions, including the mediating role of incubation centers and access to finance. A quantitative survey-based research design was used to collect data from 364 business studies students studying across the province, from a total of 6173 students, with the help of a closed-ended questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The study employed a proportionate sample strategy to account for the disparity in university enrollment. Researchers used this strategy by treating each university as a distinct stratum to ensure the correctness of the sample size. The sample size was determined to be 364 by utilizing the Raosoft online sampling calculator. Descriptive and inferential statistical approaches were applied, and statistical techniques frequency, percentage, and regression analysis were utilized. In addition, the Hayes Process Macro was used to investigate the mediation. The result of the study shows that Attitude Towards Entrepreneurship has a positive influence on entrepreneurial intention, a positive influence on entrepreneurial intention and that incubation centers play a role in mediating the relationship between Attitude Towards Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. All of these factors have a positive influence on entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, the findings suggest that finance mediates the relationship between Attitude towards Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. The study recommended, in the light of findings, that the university may strengthen incubation center engagement, provide financial literacy and access enhancement, student community engagement and social norms shift through education training workshops, and universities make proper university-industry collaboration, curriculum enhancement for perceived behavioral control, take initiative for strategic financial planning for social entrepreneurship and may adopt proper and continuous monitoring.