The influence of entrepreneurial alertness on the intention to start a new business

Abstract

The main purpose of this master thesis is to research the influence of entrepreneurial alertness on the intention to start a new business. A research model incorporating the intention-based theory of planned behavior is used to obtain a better understanding of the relation between alertness and the subsequent intention to engage in entrepreneurial behavior. Conclusions are drawn by testing a mediation model using a unique Belgian dataset of 1681 adults. Statistical results of the regression analyses revealed that alertness is a crucial component in the entrepreneurial process. Furthermore, attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control fully and significantly mediate the influence of alertness on entrepreneurial intention.