637 - WHAT DRIVES STUDENTS' ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS IN REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Session: P_D01S003 - Poster Session 3 - Division 1
AUTHORS:
Tomovska Misoska Ana (University Americal College Skopje ~ Skopje ~ North Macedonia, Republic of) , Jordanova Peshevska Dimitrinka (University Americal College Skopje ~ Skopje ~ North Macedonia, Republic of) , Trajkova Kate (University Americal College Skopje ~ Skopje ~ North Macedonia, Republic of)
Abstract text:
Becoming an entrepreneur is an important life choice. Studies show that a number of students worldwide think of becoming entrepreneurs and students in North Macedonia are above average in that regard (Sieger et.al., 2024). As such it is interesting to note what are the factors that drive such choices and how can we stimulate the entrepreneurial intentions as they are important for future life-satisfaction (Przepiorka, 2017) and are especially important in a country like North Macedonia faced with economic uncertainty and low life satisfaction. Various factors serve as determinants of the entrepreneurial intentions and studying the psychological and educational aspects is important in understanding and helping students in their career choices. The current paper explores the effects of resilience, life-satisfaction, self-efficacy, stimulating university environment, university learning and learning about support mechanisms on entrepreneurial intentions, as well as their views on protecting the environment and addressing social issues through new ventures among university students from North Macedonia. The study is done on convenient sample of 254 from various universities in the country. The study utilized the following instruments: Brief resilience coping scale, Satisfaction with life scale, Entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale, University environment scale, University learning scale, Learning about entrepreneurial support mechanisms, and Entrepreneurial intentions scale. In addition, Political and Social conservativism among students are also analyzed in relation to their entrepreneurial intentions and gender. The regression analysis shows that entrepreneurial self-efficacy, learning about entrepreneurship and learning about external help mechanisms are statistically significant positive determinants of entrepreneurship. The study reiterates the need for targeted educational interventions mostly aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills to stimulate students to become entrepreneurs and use ethical practices in their future business endeavors.