The impact of family pressure on entrepreneurial intention: an empirical study based on Chinese entrepreneurs

Family pressure can influence individuals to make entrepreneurial decisions. This study examined the relationship between personal family pressure and entrepreneurial intention. We contend that this relationship is also influenced by individuals’ perceived satisfaction with their previous jobs and the external institutional environment. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, we explore the mechanism of family pressure on individual entrepreneurial intention. Through an empirical analysis of data from 243 questionnaires, we draw the following Conclusions: Family pressure negatively affects entrepreneurial intention. However, job satisfaction and the institutional environment positively moderate the relationship between family pressure and entrepreneurial intention. Because this study explores the influence of family pressure on entrepreneurial intention based on individual factors, the findings further extend the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in entrepreneurship and provide references for not only the government to support mass entrepreneurship but also employer firms to gain insight into employees’ turnover intention.