PREDICTING ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS THROUGH AUTONOMY, RELATEDNESS, AND COMPETENCY: A STUDY AMONG STATE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of autonomy, relatedness, ands competency on social entrepreneurial intention among state undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. The Self-determination Theory was tested in the context of state undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. Exogenous variables studied included Autonomy, Relatedness, and competency. The instrument used in the research was developed using validated items from past literature. Data for this quantitative study were collected from undergraduate students from nine state universities in Sri Lanka. Structural equation modeling was used to see the insights from the valid data using IBM’s SPSS 25 and AMOS 22. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis and subsequent evaluation of the structural model revealed a positive relationship between Social Entrepreneurial Intention and Relatedness and, social entrepreneurial Intention and Autonomy. However, the results did not support the relationships between social entrepreneurial intention and competency and the moderating effect of gender on competency and Social Entrepreneurial Intention.limited research has been carried out relating to Social Entrepreneurial Intention in the Sri Lankan context. The lack of research has not assisted in addressing the state university graduate unemployment which been a major socio-politico-economic problem in Sri La. Social entrepreneurship can be proposed as a viable career option. This research will shed light on the antecedent factors that affect social entrepreneurial intention and assist policymakers in developing appropriate strategies for promoting Social entrepreneurship among undergraduates.