Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and entrepreneurial intention as antecedents of nascent necessity-entrepreneur business start-up behaviour in South Africa: a longitudinal study.

Abstract

This research examines the inter-relationships among entrepreneurial self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and entrepreneurial intention as antecedents to entrepreneurial start-up behaviour. The research participants were South African nascent necessity-entrepreneurs. Theoretical foundations for the research are derived from Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour. The research design involved a repeated measures longitudinal study over 4.5 years that included an entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and incubation intervention program. This was introduced during the first 12-months of the study. Repeated measures of the variables of interest were collected at T₁ (baseline), T₂ (immediately at the end of the 12-month entrepreneurship intervention program), and T₃ (end-of-study). A structural model comprised of the variables of interest was developed and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. The research questions addressed centred upon the extent to which entrepreneurial self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and entrepreneurial intention were inter-related and the extent to which they contributed toward nascent necessity-entrepreneur entrepreneurial start-up behaviour. The longitudinal nature of the research allowed for an understanding of the dynamic nature of the variables of interest over the three points where measurements were taken. This was important since changes in the means of the three antecedent variables were observed to various degree immediately after the entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and incubation intervention program (T₂) and at the end-of-study (T₃) - compared to T₁ and T₂. These changes highlighted the shortcomings in cross-sectional studies where variables of interest are known to be unstable over time. While previous studies have examined the inter-relationships among entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial start-up behaviour, this research adds to current theory by examining to what extent intrinsic motivation is an important antecedent contributor (along with entrepreneurial self-efficacy) to entrepreneurial behaviour. It also makes a contribution to theory by examining the variable interrelationships in a South African nascent necessity-entrepreneur context (other entrepreneurial intention studies have focused on opportunity-oriented entrepreneurs). The research makes a contribution to practice by providing insights into the design, development, and delivery of effective entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and incubation programs. The research also provides valuable insights for policy makers in the framing of policy aimed at stimulating the entrepreneurial training of nascent necessity-entrepreneurs as a means of assisting them in the new venture creation process.