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ABSTRACT
The field of entrepreneurship is fast developing in line with the government support for
Malaysians to adopt entrepreneurship as their career choice. Despite a good development
of entrepreneurship courses and programs in higher education, doubts about the
effectiveness of formal entrepreneurship education continue to rise. Previous research has
shown that intentions are the main contributing factors that motivate individuals to engage
in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship education programs have been carried out
extensively at higher education levels with the aim of giving the widest possible exposure
so that students have a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship. Previous research in
this area also has tended to lack a strong theoretical orientation; variables have been
examined in isolation and with no clear theoretical rationale. This study aims to assess
the influence of entrepreneurial development programs at Malaysian College
Communities on entrepreneurial intention by applying Ajzen’s Entrepreneurial
Intentional Model constructs, personality traits, and demographic factors. The study also
examines the mediating effect of these constructs on the relationship between
entrepreneurial development programs and entrepreneurial intention. Data were collected
through a survey method which involved a total sample of 1277 college community’s
students. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model was used to test the
hypothesized relationships. The main findings of this study provide empirical support that
Ajzen’s Entrepreneurial Intentional Model constructs and personality traits play a critical
mediating role in explaining the effect of entrepreneurial development programs on
entrepreneurial intention. The findings provide a better understanding of the theoretical
mechanism linking these main constructs. Theoretical and managerial implications of the
findings and suggestions for further research are also discussed in this study.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial Development Programs, Entrepreneurial Intentions, College
Community