Confucianism: A Modern Twist Towards Entrepreneurial Intention Of University Graduates

Entrepreneurship plays a focal point in transforming the nation on its social and economic front. Regarded as future builders of nation, the intention of University students towards entrepreneurship is of interest to scholars and policy makers. Current research relates Theory of Planned Behaviour to University students’ entrepreneurial intention with focus on Confucianism as cultural variable and their effect on entrepreneurial intention. Special focus is made on the position of attitude as a mediator to Confucianism and entrepreneurial intention. In this research, focus is on integration of numerous variables forming a model that is inclusive while evaluating relationships simultaneously using SEM-PLS technique. Research design is quantitative based utilizing 250 sample of Malaysian university undergraduate students. This research investigates the impact of different variables comprising of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control; linking cultural values in addition to investigating these variables’ influence on university students’ intention of embarking on entrepreneurial journey. The conclusion of results suggests that attitude, subjective norm and Confucianism is a major motivator on the decision of university students to choose a profession. Relationships and connectiveness as the basis of Confucianism supports the building of positive attitude to be an entrepreneur. The contribution of this study has been to confirm the presence of culture in influencing entrepreneurial intention through changes in attitude. In addition, it sheds a new light putting attitude in the role as a mediator. This study has implications for the studies of entrepreneurial intention particularly on the relationships between attitudes and values of Confucianism. 2357-1330 © 2020 Published by European Publisher.