A PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCHING TECHNOPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Industrial revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is a new era which emphasizes on the use of information communication technology (ICT) and electronic applications in business operations. It requires young, innovative and ICT literate individuals. Malaysian government has put in a lot of efforts to develop entrepreneurial skills among the young generation especially university students. However, there are many challenges in developing young technology-based entrepreneurs or technopreneurs. For instance, Malaysia recorded low scores in a few entrepreneurial behaviors and attitudes identified by Global Entrepreneurial Monitor (GEM). Besides, not many Malaysians have established new businesses and the early stage entrepreneurship rate is still low and even decreasing. In addition, university students are showing low interest to become entrepreneurs during their tertiary education. The future of IR 4.0 is full of changes, unpredictable and very challenging. IR 4.0 would affect Malaysia’s vision and mission to develop competitive entrepreneurs and become a developed country. Thus, studies regarding technology-based entrepreneurship development in Malaysia is indeed needed. In the entrepreneurship literature, technological capability and psychological aspects such as individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) and entrepreneurial intention are insufficiently researched. Therefore, this research suggested a model to explain the direct and indirect influence of ICT self-efficacy and environmental factor on technopreneurial intention through IEO. In terms of the potential contributions of this research, it created a new model for exploring technopreneurial intention. In addition, it offered insights into policy implementation in developing competitive technopreneurial graduates, creating innovative individuals in technology fields and transforming Malaysia into a knowledge economy. It also identified the varieties of ICT capabilities which might be vital in developing revolutionary and entrepreneurial human capital. The framework can also be applied to facilitate, bolster and grow the participation of young generations in the technopreneurial activities.