Research Proposal

on
Entrepreneurial Intention of Business Students in Bangladesh: An
Exploration of Influencing Factors and Motivational Drivers

Program: MBA (Regular One Year)

Batch: 4th
Semester: 1st
Phase: 1st
Course Title: Advanced Research Methodology
Course code: A601

Submitted By: (GROUP-A)

Name & Student ID:
Md. Abdullah Abu Salleh (1713285101)
Md. Matin Mia (2513285702)
Nusrat Jahan (2513285701)
Salma Akter (1913285106)

Submitted to: Professor Dr. Md. Atiqul Islam

Submission Date: 02.02.2025

 Table of Contents

Page No.

1. Introduction : 01

1.1 Background of the study : 01

1.2 Problem Statement : 01
1.3 Significance & Relevance of the Study : 01
1.4 Gap in knowledge : 02

2. Literature Review : 03

3. Hypothesis of the study : 04

4. Research Objectives : 04

5. Methodology : 05

5.1 Research Design : 05

5.2 Population & Sample : 05
5.3 Sampling Method : 05
5.4 Data Collection Method : 05

6. Conclusion : 05

7. References : 06
 1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study:

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in driving economic growth, particularly in developing
countries like Bangladesh. The country's rapidly growing population, youthful demographic,
and evolving business landscape present an opportune environment for entrepreneurial
ventures. Bangladesh, with its increasing number of university graduates, faces significant
challenges related to unemployment. Given the country’s high youth unemployment rate,
entrepreneurship is considered one of the key solutions for creating new jobs and improving
economic sustainability. Business students, armed with relevant academic skills in
management, finance, marketing, and economics, are viewed as an important group for
fostering entrepreneurial activity. However, despite the emphasis on entrepreneurship
education within universities, a large number of business students in Bangladesh have shown
limited intention to pursue entrepreneurial ventures after graduation. This discrepancy raises
questions about what factors influence entrepreneurial intentions among business students,
and how these factors can be leveraged to encourage more entrepreneurial activity in the
country.

1.2 Problem Statement:

Although entrepreneurship education has become a common component of the curriculum in
many universities in Bangladesh, many business students exhibit limited entrepreneurial
intentions and prefer conventional career paths in employment. This raises a significant
problem regarding how universities and other institutions can better foster entrepreneurial
intentions among business students. Despite an increase in academic literature surrounding
entrepreneurial intentions globally, limited research has focused on business students in
Bangladesh, particularly in the context of influencing factors such as socio-cultural,
psychological, and institutional factors. This research aims to address this gap and explore
the factors that drive or inhibit entrepreneurial intentions in this population.

1.3 Significance & Relevance of the Study:

This study is significant because it aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors
influencing entrepreneurial intention among business students in Bangladesh, which could
inform educational policies and entrepreneurial support systems in the country. Given the
importance of entrepreneurship for economic development, understanding the motivational
drivers behind students' entrepreneurial intentions can help policymakers, educational
institutions, and businesses design strategies to stimulate entrepreneurial activities among the
youth. Moreover, this research will offer insights that may help in overcoming barriers to
entrepreneurship, facilitating the development of a more entrepreneurial ecosystem in
Bangladesh.

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 This study is highlighted by the growing need for new businesses and employment
opportunities in Bangladesh. With a large population of young, educated individuals, the
country's future economic prosperity hinges on cultivating entrepreneurial skills and
fostering a culture of innovation. Business students are a crucial target group for this purpose,
as they possess the foundational knowledge and skills required to initiate and manage
successful ventures. Understanding their intentions toward entrepreneurship and the factors
that shape those intentions is essential for aligning academic programs, government policies,
and entrepreneurial initiatives with the needs of the economy.

1.4 Gap in Knowledge:

Although there have been numerous studies examining entrepreneurial intentions in various
regions, the specific context of business students in Bangladesh remains underexplored.
Much of the existing literature has focused on general student populations or has been
conducted in more developed economies. Additionally, there is limited research that
comprehensively addresses the interplay between socio-cultural, psychological, and
institutional factors in shaping entrepreneurial intentions within the Bangladeshi context.
This research seeks to fill this gap by examining the key factors that influence business
students’ entrepreneurial intentions in Bangladesh and offering recommendations for
enhancing these intentions.

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 2. Literature Review:
Entrepreneurial intention is often seen as the precursor to entrepreneurial action, which
has become a central focus in entrepreneurship research. Various theories and
frameworks have been developed to understand the factors that influence entrepreneurial
intentions.
In many developing countries, socio-cultural factors play a significant role in shaping
entrepreneurial intentions. Family background, societal values, and the level of social
acceptance of entrepreneurship can all affect whether students develop an entrepreneurial
mindset. In Bangladesh, for example, family businesses are prevalent, and young people
often look up to successful family entrepreneurs as role models (According to nabi’s
Literature,2017). However, social stigma around failure may act as a barrier, leading
students to prefer stable employment over the risks of entrepreneurship (According to
Hossain’s literature, 2020).

Psychological traits such as self-efficacy, risk-taking propensity, and need for

achievement are important in determining entrepreneurial intention. Self-efficacy refers
to an individual’s belief in their ability to succeed, which has been shown to positively
influence entrepreneurial intentions (Luthan’s Literature, 2015). A study by Hameed
(2018) found that students with higher self-efficacy were more likely to pursue
entrepreneurial opportunities. The need for achievement, characterized by a desire to
accomplish challenging goals, has also been identified as a key motivator for
entrepreneurship. On the other hand, fear of failure and a lack of confidence may deter
students from pursuing entrepreneurial ventures (Chrysafides’s Literature, 2020).

Entrepreneurship education has been found to have a significant influence on students’

entrepreneurial intentions. According to Souitaris’s literature (2007), formal
entrepreneurship education can enhance students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward
entrepreneurship. In Bangladesh, however, the integration of entrepreneurship education
into university curricula remains limited, particularly in business schools. While students
often study business and management principles, they may not receive sufficient
exposure to practical entrepreneurship skills, which could hinder their entrepreneurial
intentions (Rashid’s Literature, 2019).

Institutional support, including access to capital, mentorship, and networking

opportunities, is critical for entrepreneurial success. In Bangladesh, while government
initiatives and various NGOs have taken steps to support entrepreneurship, access to
resources like funding remains a challenge for young entrepreneurs (Nasir’s Literature,
2017). entrepreneurial environment and influencing students’ decisions to pursue
entrepreneurship.

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 3. Hypothesis of the Study:
Based on the literature review, the following hypotheses have been proposed:

H1: Socio-cultural factors (e.g., family background and societal perceptions) significantly
influence the entrepreneurial intentions of business students in Bangladesh.
H2: Psychological factors (e.g., self-efficacy, risk-taking propensity, and need for
achievement) have a positive impact on the entrepreneurial intentions of business
students in Bangladesh.
H3: The availability and quality of entrepreneurship education positively affect the
entrepreneurial intentions of business students in Bangladesh.
H4: Institutional factors (e.g., access to capital, mentorship, and government policies)
significantly influence the entrepreneurial intentions of business students in Bangladesh.

4. Research Objectives:
The main objectives of this study are:

i. To examine the socio-cultural factors that influence the entrepreneurial intentions

of business students in Bangladesh. This will involve exploring the role of family
background, social norms, and societal attitudes toward entrepreneurship.
ii. To assess the psychological factors that affect entrepreneurial intentions among
business students in Bangladesh. This objective will focus on the impact of self-
efficacy, risk-taking propensity, and need for achievement on entrepreneurial
intention.
iii. To evaluate the role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial
intentions among business students in Bangladesh. The research will examine
how formal and informal entrepreneurship education influences students’
entrepreneurial aspirations.
iv. To investigate the impact of institutional factors, such as access to resources,
government policies, and mentorship, on entrepreneurial intentions in
Bangladesh. This objective will explore how the external environment supports or
hinders students' entrepreneurial ambitions.
v. To identify the key barriers to entrepreneurial intention and action for business
students in Bangladesh. This will involve understanding the challenges faced by
students when transitioning from entrepreneurial intention to action, such as
financial constraints or lack of support.

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 5. Methodology:
To explore the entrepreneurial intention of business students in Bangladesh and identify the
influencing factors and motivational drivers, a quantitative research approach can be
employed, supplemented by qualitative insights.

5.1 Research Design:

A mixed-method approach can be used as we are doing descriptive research.
Quantitative: To statistically analyze the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention.
Qualitative: To gain deeper insights into personal motivations, societal influences, and
barriers to entrepreneurship.

5.2 Population and Sample:

Population: Business students in universities and business schools across Bangladesh.
Sample Size: A sample of 500 students from various universities, ensuring diversity in terms
of socio-economic background, gender, and year of study.

5.3 Sampling Method:

Simple & stratified random sampling should be used as the research has both Quantitative &
Qualitative data collection approaches.

5.4 Data Collection Methods:

Survey Questionnaire (Quantitative) & Focus Group (Qualitative)
A structured questionnaire & Focus group discussion will be designed to measure the various
factors that might influence entrepreneurial intention. The questionnaire will include both
closed-ended and Likert scale questions, focusing on psychological factors, socio-cultural
factors, educational factors, Institutional factors.

6. Conclusion:
This study aims to provide valuable insights into the entrepreneurial intentions of business
students in Bangladesh, with a focus on the drivers and factors influencing their decisions.
Despite increasing interest in entrepreneurship, traditional societal norms and limited access
to resources may still deter many students from pursuing their entrepreneurial goals. This
emphasizes the need for more robust entrepreneurial education, enhanced access to capital,
and a supportive policy environment to create an ecosystem where young entrepreneurs can
thrive. Finally, the study will contribute to policy recommendations aimed at improving
entrepreneurship education, facilitating access to funding, and fostering a supportive social
and economic environment that encourages young people to consider entrepreneurship as a
viable career option.

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 References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human
Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.

Chrysafides, J. (2020). Psychological Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries.

Journal of Business Psychology, 35(3), 122-137.

Hameed, W. U., Ashraf, M. M., & Khan, M. A. (2018). Impact of Self-Efficacy on

Entrepreneurial Intentions: Evidence from Pakistani University Students. Journal of
Entrepreneurship Education, 21(3), 1-11.

Hossain, M. M., Khan, S., & Rahman, A. (2020). The Role of Family Support in
Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Bangladesh. International Journal of Entrepreneurship,
24(2), 34-45.

Islam, M. R., & Nurullah, M. (2020). The Influence of Entrepreneurship Education on

Business Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions in Bangladesh. Journal of Entrepreneurship
Education, 23(4), 1-14.

Nasir, M., Khan, S., & Rahman, S. (2017). Barriers to Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh: A
Review. Journal of Business Research, 5(1), 45-56.

Nabi, G., Liñán, F., Fayolle, A., Krueger, N. F., & Walmsley, A. (2017). The Impact of
Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research
Agenda. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 16(2), 284-298.

Rashid, A., Azim, S., & Rahman, T. (2019). Entrepreneurship Education and its Role in
Promoting Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Students in Bangladesh. International Journal
of Business and Management, 10(3), 49-58.

Souitaris, V., Zerbinati, S., & Al-Laham, A. (2007). Do Entrepreneurship Programs Raise
Entrepreneurial Intentions of Science and Engineering Students? The Effect of Learning,
Inspiration and Resources. Journal of Business Venturing, 22(4), 566-591.

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