THE EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN OMAN and SUDAN

This study intends to measure the presence of entrepreneurial characteristics like (Risk- Tolerance, Persistence, Self- confidence) among university students in developing countries. The study also aims to examine the influence of the entrepreneurial characteristics on the intention of these students to involve in entrepreneurial ventures after completing their studies. In addition, the study intends to compare between students in different universities on the level of availability of entrepreneurial characteristics, and the readiness to establish entrepreneurial projects. The study population consists of students of three universities in Oman and Sudan of which the sample consisted of 660 students randomly selected. Out of them 574 questionnaires were found valid for analysis. Following a descriptive approach and using relevant statistical tests the study reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which, shows that the level of the availability of the entrepreneurial characteristics, and entrepreneurial intention among the students of the three universities was found to be high. The results showed a high level of self-confidence and high level of entrepreneurial intention for Dhofar University students compared to students of the Sudan International University and University of Bahri. The results demonstrates that the impact of entrepreneurial characteristics of students on their entrepreneurial intention is statistically significant.