SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION: MEDIATING ROLE OF ATTITUDE

Worldwide, entrepreneurship portrays an influential role in the economic growth and development of a country. Entrepreneurs play an essential role in any economy through business start-ups and employment creation. However, entrepreneurs need entrepreneurial intention to contribute to a robust economy. As such, Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) has become a create matter of concern to policymakers, academics, and researchers. More specifically youth entrepreneurial intention (EI) as these individuals’ decision to become entrepreneurial are influenced by various barriers, posing a significant concern for students and graduates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mediating effect of attitudes on the influence of barriers on students Entrepreneurial Intention (EI). A descriptive research design approach was followed. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data from a convenience sample of 338 South African students. The collected data were analysed using reliability and validity analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, regression analysis and mediation analysis. The results indicated that both paths of barriers and attitudes have a significant influence on students Entrepreneurial Intention (EI). The findings of the study provide empirical evidence of the mediating effects of barriers on attitudes on Entrepreneurial Intention (EI), a field under-researched within the South African context. The findings make an important contribution in that it will assist the South African government and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on developing strategies lessening the barriers young individuals may face.