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Opening the “Black Box” of University Entrepreneurial Intention in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Gomes

    (REMIT—Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies, University Portucalense, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 541, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Marlene Sousa

    (CICS.NOVA—Interdisciplinary Center for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences (FCSH/NOVA) & Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Rua General Norton de Matos, Apartado 4133, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Tânia Santos

    (CICS.NOVA—Interdisciplinary Center for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences (FCSH/NOVA) & Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Rua General Norton de Matos, Apartado 4133, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • José Oliveira

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Minho, Largo do Paço, 4704-553 Braga, Portugal)

  • Márcio Oliveira

    (NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences & Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Rua General Norton de Matos, Apartado 4133, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • João M. Lopes

    (NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior & Miguel Torga Institute of Higher Education, Largo Cruz de Celas No. 1, 3000-132 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

This research aims to study the determinants of entrepreneurial intention in academia and compare the outcomes from two different moments, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a quantitative methodology was used, whereby a questionnaire was given to higher education students in these two chronological moments. From the obtained results, it was possible to ascertain that, given the motivational dimension, the attitude towards behavior and perceived behavioral control are having a positive impact on entrepreneurial intentions during the pandemic and that subjective norms have a negative impact on entrepreneurial intentions. This relationship of influences is unchanged, either before or during the pandemic. Regarding the environmental dimension, both of the variables under analysis are having a negative impact on entrepreneurial intention during the pandemic period, which corresponds to an aggravation or loss of positive influences when compared to the context before the pandemic, and the next assessment had a positive impact on entrepreneurial intentions. On the theoretical contributions, the findings are very important, as they strengthen the literature on entrepreneurial intentions, and in specific contexts of social and economic instability. As for practical contributions, this research suggests actions to agents with an important intervention role in the community, one of these agents is Higher Education Institutions, which play a determining role by creating a positive environment to support their students’ entrepreneurial intent. This research is original, as far as we are informed, and it is the first to study entrepreneurial intention in academia during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Portuguese context. Moreover, we suggest that the obtained results should be succeeded by further studies to confirm the evolutionary trends now identified on the subject under analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Gomes & Marlene Sousa & Tânia Santos & José Oliveira & Márcio Oliveira & João M. Lopes, 2021. "Opening the “Black Box” of University Entrepreneurial Intention in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:5:p:181-:d:558207
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. João M. Lopes & Sofia Gomes & Lassana Mané, 2022. "Developing Knowledge of Supply Chain Resilience in Less-Developed Countries in the Pandemic Age," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Yuan Zhi Seah, 2021. "COVID-19 and Its Effects on Attitudes toward Opportunity-Motivated Entrepreneurship: Before and after Lockdown," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Walid Simmou & Ibrahim Sameer & Khaled Hussainey & Samira Simmou, 2023. "Sociocultural factors and social entrepreneurial intention during the COVID-19 pandemic: Preliminary evidence from developing countries," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 1177-1207, September.

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