Motivation Influencing the Entrepreneurial Intention of Students in Mueang District, Songkhla Province
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Abstract
This study aimed to: (1) examine the levels of entrepreneurial motivation and intention among undergraduate students in Mueang Songkhla District; (2) investigate motivations influencing entrepreneurial intentions; and (3) propose strategies for enhancing motivation to strengthen students’ entrepreneurial intent. The sample consisted of 406 undergraduate students selected through multistage sampling (stratification, cluster, and convenience). The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.948. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression.
Results showed that both entrepreneurial motivation and intention were at high levels. For motivation, the need for achievement had the highest mean score, followed by the need for power and need for affiliation. Entrepreneurial intention was also high, with subjective norms showing the highest mean. Multiple regression analysis indicated that need for achievement (nAch) and need for power (nPow) significantly and positively influenced entrepreneurial intention (p < .001), whereas the need for affiliation (nAff) showed no significant effect (p = .146). The model explained 53.8% of the variance (Adjusted R² = .538), suggesting that internal motivations related to success and leadership play a more substantial role than social relationship factors. Proposed motivational promotion approaches include practical workshops on business planning, creating social networks for young entrepreneurs, developing entrepreneurial leadership programs, and establishing a business mentorship system.
The new knowledge integrates McClelland’s and Ajzen’s theories to explain new-generation entrepreneurial behavior in Southern Thailand. It confirms that internal motivations (achievement and power) play a significantly stronger role than the need for affiliation, confirming McClelland’s theory in this specific context.
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References
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