Exploring the influence of environmental, social and individual factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of Emirati university students

Purpose - This study aims to understand the factors influencing university students’ entrepreneurial intentions in a rapidly developing entrepreneurial country. Design/methodology/approach - A cross-sectional survey of 324 Emirati students was conducted. Using a structural equation analysis, the study identified strong associations between positive attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived university and country-level support for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. However, the relationship between social norms and intention was not direct, but an indirect relationship was found when coupled with self-efficacy and attitudes. Findings - The findings suggest that increasing public awareness and promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career option will significantly impact students’ entrepreneurial intentions in the UAE. Furthermore, providing practical educational and resource opportunities can facilitate the process of starting a business. Originality/value - This study contributes to entrepreneurship research by providing a unique perspective on the interrelationships among social, government and economic influences in an entrepreneurial context.