Role of entrepreneurial motivation on entrepreneurial intentions and behaviour: theory of planned behaviour extension on engineering students in Pakistan

The purpose of this paper is to extend theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model by focussing on intention-action gap, which is considered by academic researchers as under-researched area. It further examines the moderating role of entrepreneurial motivation between intention and behaviour (action) to enhance predictability of TPB on senior level engineering students in Pakistan. Survey conducted with 448 engineering students from four major engineering institutions for data collection. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and partial least square (PLS) method has been employed for analysing PLS path modelling, hypotheses testing, mediation and moderation analysis. Results reveal that attitude and perceived behaviour control are positively related to entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) and predictors of EIs have an overall variance of 48% in EIs. Entrepreneurial motivation significantly effects intention-behaviour link in TPB which is novel finding in extension of TPB. This is the first study of its kind which explains intention-action gap and include entrepreneurial motivation in TPB as researchers considered longitudinal studies appropriate to investigate intention-action gap. Results reinforced the idea of incorporation of supporting constructs in TPB. Conceptual model contributes theoretically to the existing framework of TPB by enhancing predictive power for better understanding of entrepreneurial behavioural development. Study provide base for future studies on intention-behaviour link in TPB to explain entrepreneurial behaviour for application in various perspectives.