E-entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours in the United Arab Emirates: an empirical investigation in the digital transformation era

Purpose - This paper aims to understand in-depth the electronic entrepreneurial intentions (EEI) towards launching online start-ups in United Arab Emirates (UAE) by exploring the effect of perceived entrepreneurial culture and risk propensity on EEI amongst the youth in the country, additionally, exploring the differences (if existed) amongst intentions based on gender categories. Design/methodology/approach - This study developed a theoretical framework based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to examine perceived entrepreneurial culture, risk propensity and the moderating role of gender. The researchers followed the partial least squares in structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method. The collected responses of 250 online surveys were analysed using the SmartPLS 3.3 software. Findings - The results showed a significant positive influence of risk propensity and perceived entrepreneurial culture on EEI in the UAE. Interestingly, despite that many prior studies showing a significant impact of gender e-EI, the analysis showed no differences between male and female responses regarding EEI. More results are demonstrated in the study. Originality/value - To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is considered the first in the UAE which investigates empirically the factors that influence youth intentions to launch online start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures in the country. In addition, the results of this study contribute to the relevant literature by adding rich insights into the moderating role of gender in the relationship between perceived entrepreneurial culture and the three constructs of TPB, namely attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control, in order to start an e-entrepreneurial business. Furthermore, this study genuinely addresses the role of risk propensity in impacting the youth intentions in e-entrepreneurial ventures mediated by perceived behavioural control. Therefore, this research study provides original and rich insights into youth attitudes towards and behaviours of launching online start-ups and significantly contributes to the body of the e-entrepreneurship literature.