Entrepreneurial Intention in Graduates of the Technical University of Machala: Motivations, Obstacles, and Opportunities for Institutional Strengthening (Revista Científica Ciencia y Método)

Summary

• The study analyzed a sample of 70 graduates out of a total population of 445 graduates from the Faculty of Business Sciences at the Technical University of Machala.p.4
• Entrepreneurial intention among graduates reached an overall mean score of 3,75 out of 5 (DE = 0,61).p.6
• Access to financing was cited as the primary obstacle, scoring a mean of 4,18 with 80,0 % of participants agreeing.p.9
• Opportunities for institutional strengthening achieved the highest overall dimension rating with an average of 4,21 out of 5.p.6
• Financial training emerged as the most requested institutional support measure, receiving an average score of 4,34 with 87,1 % agreement.p.10

Key insights

1. The desire to create a business was the highest-scoring intention indicator at a mean of 3,96 (72,9 % agreement), whereas concrete planned actions scored lower at 3,64.p.7
2. Economic independence was the most significant driver for starting a venture (M = 4,21), while generating employment for others rated the lowest among motivations (M = 3,55).p.8
3. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between entrepreneurial intention and motivations (ρ = 0,597; p < 0,001).p.8
4. Perceived obstacles displayed a statistically significant negative correlation with entrepreneurial intention (ρ = −0,344; p = 0,003).p.9
5. Perceptions of institutional strengthening measures showed a significant positive correlation with entrepreneurial intention (ρ = 0,526; p < 0,001).p.10