The Impact of multidimensional ach on entrepreneurial intentions

Abstract

Entrepreneurial intention has been extensively studied in entrepreneurship research over the past 20 years (Kolvereid, 1996; Krueger and Carsrud, 1993; Fayolle and Liñán, 2014). In general, previous research has been largely based on the Theory of Planned Beviour (TPB) by Ajzen (1991) and addressed entrepreneurial intentions in different contexts. However, entrepreneurial motivation in regard to entrepreneurial intention is an underresearched issue. Carsrud and Brännback (2011) call for studies investigating the impact of motivation on entrepreneurial intentions. This study answers the call by examining the impact of multidimensional Ach on entrepreneurial intentions. Ach is a fact-based theory of motivation initiated by Atkinson (1957, 1964). Based on this theory, a multidimensional measurement of Ach was developed by Helmreich and Spence (1978) and it contains three subscales “mastery needs”, “work orientation”, and “interpersonal competitiveness”. As Carsrud and Brännback (2011) argue, these subscales tap into some underlying motivational characteristics of the entrepreneur. The objective of this study is to explain the impact of these subconstructs on entrepreneurial intentions by answering the following questions: 1) have mastery needs a positive association with entrepreneurial intentions?, 2) does work orientation have a positive association with entrepreneurial intentions?, and 3) does interpersonal competitiveness have a positive association with entrepreneurial intentions? This study uses linear regression analysis in testing the model. Gender and role models are used as control variables. The data for this research was gathered from Finnish higher education students studying their first year in Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in the fall of 2018. 555 answers were received. Results show that both interpersonal competitiveness (β=.24***) and mastery needs (β=.11*) have a positive and statistically significant effect on entrepreneurial intention. However, work orientation does not have an effect. Both gender (male) and role models are significant variables in the model. The whole model explains 23 percent of the variation in entrepreneurial intention. This study verifies the importance of motivation for entrepreneurial intention. The results also have implications for entrepreneurship education and policy.