Entrepreneurial Orientation Behaviors in Predicting Intention to Quit Among Malaysian Engineering Talents

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) behaviors play a crucial role in predicting the intention to quit (ITQ) among engineers in an organization. As technology rapidly advances, engineers increasingly adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, allowing them to harness their ideas and translate them into competitive strategic actions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of EO behaviors on ITQ among Malaysian engineers working in private sector organizations. Using EO theory, this research explores how individual entrepreneurial orientation influences engineers' intentions to leave their jobs. Data were collected from 104 engineers in manufacturing firms registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). The study employed purposive sampling, and analysis was carried out using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to validate the research model and formulate hypotheses. The findings indicate that higher levels of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking in organizational contexts significantly reduce engineers' intentions to quit. By effectively fostering individual EO, organizations can enhance engineers' specialized knowledge, experience, and competencies, enabling them to adapt to evolving job demands. Furthermore, recognizing engineers as entrepreneurial professionals aligns with their career aspirations and strengthens the talent pipeline within organizations. Theoretically, this study contributes to the understanding of EO as a predictor of ITQ among engineers. There is a need for further research to connect individual EO with engineers' behavioral expectations, particularly in response to ongoing talent shortages in a highly competitive labor market.