2 / 2018-07-14 02:45:59

Is There Any Link Between Relational Support, Self-Efficacy, University Environment And Entrepreneurial Interest Among MBA Students In Dammam, Saudi Arabia?

entrepreneurship,Entrepreneurial Intention,university environment,self-efficacy,relational support,MBA students

Entrepreneurship is well documented as one of the ways of reducing unemployment and it creates more wealth in an economy. Understanding the entrepreneurial interest is seen as the best channel to determine and shape the behavior of people towards entrepreneurship. Since Saudi Arabia government intends to reduce the unemployment rate of her citizens to 7% and below as shown in Vision 2030, this study becomes imminent to carry out. This paper investigates the link between relational support, self-efficacy, university environment and entrepreneurial interest among MBA students of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The results reveal that self-efficacy, university environment and relational support have great likelihood of influencing entrepreneurial interest of the MBA students, but while self-efficacy and university environment have significant impact on entrepreneurial interest, relational support does not. Thus, it becomes necessary for the university to create enabling environment for the students to start their own businesses as this improves the student self-confidence and efficacy. Government and private sector should also sensitize the general populace on the need for the relatives to support the students in their households to start their own businesses.