1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: REVIEW OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROMOTING POLICIES Necessity of the study Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) has been regarded as a motive power for economic development in many countries globally As Vietnam has integrated more deeply into the global context, the interest in EI, establishment of a strong enterprise association, creation of a global nation’s trademark is the way for Vietnam to catch up with international economies stably and sustainably Recently, Vietnam has been focused on becoming a nation of start-ups In order to achieve the target of million enterprises operating in 2020, 1.5 million in 2025 and million in 2030, facilitating EI in the youths is a crucial orientation Opinions of the Communist Party towards private economic development, particularly supportive constitution and policies have contributed greatly to start-up movement in Vietnam EI, especially among the youths, has gained enormous interest from the State, the society The question for the aforementioned issue is how to promote start-up activities in general, among the youths in particular? The answer to such question is that various factors affect an individual’s entrepreneurship decision However, one of the most significant factors affecting behaviours is individual’s intention (Ajen, 2015) This is proven by a number of entrepreneurship studies (Krueger & Brazeal, 1994; Krueger et al., 2000) On the other hand, according to Ajzen (1991) entrepreneurship or career choices is resulted from perception Entrepreneurship action will be realized if an individual has positive attitude, thought and intention of such action Therefore, EI is able to accurately predict future entrepreneurship behaviours Study of EI can reflect entrepreneurship action, thus, to promote entrepreneurship among the youths, it’s appropriate to explore factors affecting EI among the youths Therefore, the study of “Factors affecting EI among Vietnamese youths” is essential during current context Through this study, the author will futher supplement new points of view for EI theory, meanwhile, propose suggestions from management perspective in order to promote entrepreneurship activities among Vietnamese youths Aim of the study The study clarifies factors affecting EI among Vietnamese youths, based on which to propose solutions and suggestions to promote EI of Vietnamese youths Objective and Scope of the study * Objective of the study: is EI of Vietnamese youths and impacts of the factors (individual, entrepreneurship eduction, environment) to EI of Vietnamese youths * Scope of the study: - Space: The thesis studies EI of Vietnamese youths from 18 to 30 years of age living at cities (Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh) and rural areas (Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Nghe An, Binh Dinh, Dong Thap, Ben Tre provinces) 1.1 Review of EI and factors affecting EI By reviewing study materials, the author sees that the factors affecting EI that are regularly mentioned are: (1) study on relationship between attitude towards the behavior and EI; (2) relationship between subjective norm and EI; (3) relationship between perceived behavioral control and EI; (4) relationship between education and entrepreneurship behavior and perception; (5) relationship between personality traits (gendre, educational level, …) and EI; (6) some researchers find that previous entrepreneurship experience may affect individual’s EI; (7) relationship between family background and EI; (8) relationship between Governmental supportive policies and entrepreneurship 1.2 Review of policies promoting EI Recently, entrepreneurship activities in Vietnam has drawn attraction from the State and the society Policies, guidelines by the Communist Party and the State promoting startup spirit has favoured entrepreneurship activities of the youths in particular However, there still exists limitations in such policies, which has been displayed in the studies’ findings in terms of environment, mechanism, policies supporting entrepreneurship activities in Vietnam conducted by some authors, such as Bích Hạnh (2009), Hồ Sỹ Hùng (2010), Dương Công Doanh (2018), Bùi Nhật Quang et al (2018) or Nguyễn Anh Tuấn et al (2018),… International experiences show that, participation by the Government through supportive policies to promote entrepreneurship activities plays a crucial role, especially during the first phase forming entrepreneurship environment A lesson on bringing about supportive policies to promote entrepreneurship activities for Vietnam is that: (i) focus on building up entrepreneurship spirit, (ii) complete entrepreneurship environment, enhance the accompanying role of the State with enterprises, (iii) promote positive role of private economic sector, (iv) develop supportive programs and startup incubator, (v) apply supportive policies regarding laws, admin procedure and taxation related to entrepreneurship Briefly, EI is greatly affected by various factors, such as: entrepreneurial attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial eduction, personality traits, entrepreneurial experience, environment-related factors Apart from factor having consistent findings namely attitude and perception (Elfving et al., 2009; Shariff & Saud, 2009), subjective norm (Linan & Chen, 2009), personality traits (Tong et al., 2011); other factors still produce inconsistent findings, like: perceived behavioural control (Ruhle et al., 2010; Paco et al., 2011), entrepreneurial education (Johansen & Schanke, 2013; Gorman et al., 1997), personality traits (Tong et al., 2011), entrepreneurial experience (Basu & Virick, 2008; Davidsson, 1995), family business tradition (Marques et al., 2014; Krueger & Dickson, 1993), supportive policies from the Government for entrepreneurship (Lüthje & Frank, 2003), gender, age, education level (BarNir & Watson, 2011; Shinnar & Giacomin, 2012) Such difference may be due to contextual factor such as cultural diversity of each nation (Okamuro et al., 2011; Saeed et al., 2014) - Time: The thesis studies EI of Vietnamese youths from 2011 up until now (when start-up has been widely discussed); survey data collected in 2018 Overall result of the studies in Vietnam has shown no research has had actual impact assessment of the factors related to personality, entrepreneurial education and environment (legal system, governmental support, family business tradition) on EI in the cultural, socio-economic environment typical for Vietnam - Content: The thesis applies Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by Ajzen (1991) and Shapero’s model of Entrepreneurial Event (SEE) as theoretical foundation combined with study findings to set up a model exploring factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths Aditionally, governmental support factor has not sufficiently been tested in previous study models Some research has mentioned such issue in different social contexts that has led to separate scientific conclusions subject to different social contexts Structure of the study Entrepreneurship promotion leading to building up a startup nation in Vietnam is a burning issue that has gained great interest from the State and the society However, academic studies in Vietnam are limited to quantity and scope The researchers based on their study findings have come to an agreement that EI is direct prerequisite of entrepreneurial behavior, is the foundation to access study design for EI of Vietnamese youths On the other hand, overall result has pointed out various theoretical opinions mentioning effect of the factors on EI The choice of an appropriate model has, however, not been studied Therefore, it is necessary to study and clarify the most accurate scientific viewpoint regarding factors affecting EI of the youths nowadays, meanwhile, recommend solutions to promoting entrepreneurial activities among the youths in current context Apart from the introduction and conclusion, the thesis comprises of chapters as below: Chapter 1: Review of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship promoting policies Chapter 2: Theoretical foundation of EI and factors affecting EI Chapter 3: Methodologies Chapter 4: Analysis of factors affecting EI status among Vietnamese youths Chapter 5: Discussion on study findings and proposals to promote entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youths *** *** CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL GROUND FOR EI AND FACTORS AFFECTING EI Group of intrapersonal factors Attitude towards moeny 2.1 Entrepreneurship and EI of the youths The term “entrepreneurship” is originated from “entrepreneur” in French No actual definition for entrepreneurship that is widely accepted, though The study findings show that entrepreneurship is defined with different approaches, contexts and purposes: (i) formation/commencement of something new; (ii) new entrepreneur/owner; business opportunity exploitation or (iii) social responsibility No matter how to approach, entrepreneurship process is described through a number of key terms including: (1) “business idea/opportunity”, “resource”, “value” “creativity”; (2) mobilization of necessary resource; (3) creating value for customers; (4) “startup” is always linked to “creativity” Attitude toward enterpreneurship Subjective norm Perceived behaviorial control According to the author, entrepreneurship is interpreted as a process in which an individual sees and assesses business opportunities, selects necessary resources to form a business base / new entreprise with purpose of bringing about prosperity for himself/herself, for the nation and creating many values for the society EI among Vietnamese youths Need for achievement Intention is researched from various perspectives However, the researchers almost agree with the opinion that EI is a crucial factor to predict entrepreneurial action (Bagozzi et al., 1989; Krueger & Brazel, 1994) Entrepreneurial experience Therefore, EI is interpreted as: (i) wishes, intentions in seeking business opportunities and ideas; (ii) intentions in planning for collecting and approaching resources; (iii) intentions in preparing business running capability Such intentions may either exists separately or simultaneously Extrapersonal factors In this research, EI of the youths is understood as: wishes, intentions in seeking business opportunities, ideas or intentions in planning for collecting, approaching resources; preparing business running capability of the youths Control Variables: - Gender - Occupation - Education level - Experience - Parents careers 2.2 Basis theories related to EI Entrepreneurial education International researchers have proposed a number of theoretical models serving as a base for study on EI The first theory on EI is Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) However, many researchers affirm SEE model by Shapero & Sokol (1982) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) proposed by Ajzen (1991) are typical theoretical models for studying of EI Some researchers have suggested EI models with intermediate element (Davidsson, 1995, Elfving et al., 2009; Krueger & Brazeal, 1994), and these models address various factors affecting EI of an individual, namely those related to personality or psychology, family, society and environment * Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA): Fishbien & Ajzen (1980) reckon intention of realizing a behavior is preprequisite to realize a behavior of an individual In TRA model, attitude towards behavior and subjective norm are factors affecting intention of realizing a behavior of an individual * Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB): originated from TRA of Fishbein & Ajzen, EI is influenced by factors: first, individual attitude towards behavior showing assessment level, positive or negative of the individual for entrepreneurship, being assessment of entrepreneurship value rather than merely individual feeling; second, subjective norm measuring social pressures felt by the individual for performing or not performing entrepreneurial actions; and third, perceived behavior control related to levels at which an individual thinks he/she is able to perform Support from Government Figure 2.1: Thesis Research Model 2.4.2 Research Hypotheses Based on proposed research model, the following hypotheses can clarify the research questions, positions that need testing in Vietnamese conditions Statements on relationship and interaction between factors in the research model are summarized in the table below: Table 2.1: Research hypotheses H Description * Shapero’s model of Entrepreneurial Event (SEE): showing that an individual’s decision upon entrepreneurship depends on changes of his/her life and his/her attitude towards entrepreneurship as well as feeling for possibility and desire for entrepreneurship (Shapero & Sokol, 1982) H1 Attitude toward money has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths H2 Attitude toward entrepreneurship has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths Inherited from theoretical models of previous studies about factors affecting EI, this study has built a theoretical model of factors affecting EI of the youths based on verified factors in TPB and SEE The study’s theoretical model inherits basic factors (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behaviorial control) from TPB; inherits from SEE and factors drawn from previous studies (attitude towards money, need for achievement, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial experience) and supplements new variables from piloting studies, supportive policies from the government H3 Subjective norm has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths H4 Perceived behaviourial control has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths H5 Need for achievement has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths 2.3 Factors affecting EI H6 Experience has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths H7 Attitude may be an intermediate variable of relationship between entrepreneurial experience and intention of Vietnamese youths H8 Entrepreneurship education has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths H9 Attitude towards entrepreneurship is an intermediate variable of relationship between entrepreneurship and EI of Vietnamese youths H10 Support from the government has positive effect on EI of Vietnamese youths Factors affecting EI can be classified into basic groups: (1) intrapersonal factors belonging to individuals having EI themselves, being Vietnamese youths in this study (including: attitude towards EI, subjective norm, perceived behaviourial control, need for achievements, enterpreneurial experience) and (2) extrapersonal factors from outside (including: enterpreneurial education and support from government for enterpreneurship) 2.4 Research model and hypotheses 2.4.1 Research model Based on theoretical basis, actual facts and research on factors affecting EI of the youths, the thesis’ model is built on TPB model inheriting basic factors (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behaviorial control); besides, the thesis also inherits other factors from previous studies (attitude towards money, need for achievement, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial experience) and supplement factors on business environment *** CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY CFA), analyzing structural equation model (SEM), analyzing differences of the groups through statistical calculations and logical thinking *** 3.1 Research procedure Research procedure of the thesis comprises steps, namely, preliminary and official research, which is demonstrated as below: Theoretical basis on EI of previous research findings Qualitative research Proposing model and scale Testing model and scale Trial survey, questionnaire (n=50) Completing model and scale Quantitative (n=1500) Cronbach Alpha, EFA, CFA, SEM Assessment of model suitability Hypothesis appraisal Figure 3.1: Research Procedure Source: This proposed procedure is based on research by Nguyễn Đình Thọ, Nguyễn Thị Mai Trang, 2007 - Preliminary research: the author collected materials, information related to EI of the youths and previous research findings to propose a model and scale After sketching an initial model, the author will combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies to standardize the model and scale The preliminary research is conducted from June to August 2017 (i) Qualitative research: after building preliminary research findings and design for the thesis, the author did seek opinions from scientists majoring in business administration and management regarding research model and survey questionnaire to complete the questionnaire before carrying out the survey to collect information (ii) Quantitative research: after obtaining feedback, exchanges from the chosen scientists, the author completed the research model and survey questionnaire and conduct trial survey The author conducted survey on 50 samples representing different surveying groups Purpose of the survey is to test questions, terms that are still unclear and difficult to choose the answers, meanwhile, consider suitability of the scale, variables proposed in the research model Survey result is the basis for the author to adjust the scale appropriately before conducting official survey Form of information collection is diversified to convenience the author during survey process, including through interview, direct Q&A, using Google forms Trial survey result has shown that the basic questionnaire is accepted, except for minor adjustment for terms and design - Official research: the author keeps combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies in information collection and clarifying issues raised in the study In qualitative research, the author has conduected: (1) Consolidate, analyse primary and secondary documents Based on research result, the author raised a number of questions, hypotheses and proposed a model; identified source and content of the scale in the proposed model, then, translated the model and questionnaire into Vietnamese (2) Seek experts’ comments: the author has sought comments from scientists to complete the termilogogy, model and questionnaire (3) During information collection at the researching areas, the author has interviewed 20 people to understand demend for entrepreneurship and factors affecting their EI As regards quantitative methodology: (1) Research sample Data collection is done by applying sociological questionnaire Based on suitable calculation, the author has surveyed 1,500 youths including students and young employees of 16 – 30 years of age Legitimate samples for analysis is 1,298, equaling 86.5%, ensuring sufficient quantity and representation for areas and objectives (2) Data analysis Data collected from the questionnaire are input by Epidata and treated via SPSS 20 and Amos 22 softwares Data analysis method is based on the following basic steps: testing reliability of the scale, analyzing reliability of scale (EFA and CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING EI STATUS IN VIETNAMESE YOUTHS 4.1 Enterpreneurship status of Vietnamese youths Survey data about entrepreneurship spirit in Global startup report by Amway shows Vietnam belongs to the group of nations having very positive opinion towards entrepreneurship activities Amway’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Index (AESI) of Vietnam has continuously increased from 77% (2015) to 81% (2016) and 84% (2018) Entrepreneurial willingness in Vietnam is at high rate, approx 90% of the surveyed people think that private business is a desirable career opportunity Vietnamese confidence is also high when it comes to evaluate entrepreneurial potential, 80% of the interviewed people think they are qualified enough and have necessary resource to start their own business Such rate has increased through survey years, whereas, the global average rate is below 50% According to surveying data of VCCI and USAID in 2016, the majority of entrepreneurs start up their own business at around 30 years of age with 72% being above 30 and only 28% being under 30 Regarding education level, most of the entrepreneurs with years of doing business have undergraduate degree (84%) Desire for ownership is the strongest motive for Vietnamese youths with 59% wishing to be financially independent and 41% wishing to become owners The above figures show that the youths doing startup when they are at mature age Meanwhile, entrepreneurial people are mostly undergraduated from university, at least 21 – 22 years of age and experience at least another job during about years Therefore, despite a positive perspective for entrepreneurial activities, entrepreneurship status among the youths in Vietnam is still rather low 4.2 Analysis of factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths 4.2.1 Characteristics of samples 1,500 questionnaires were handed over to surveyed people, collected and treated data, then remain 1,298 valid questionnaires with sufficient information and being able to use for quantitative analysis In terms of gender, no dramatic difference between men and women with 54% for men and 46% for women; occupation, 2/3 have jobs; education level, most of them are at least undergrads (61.1%) and employment experience, as the surveyed are the youths, they almost have little work experience (under year or 1-3 years of experience); parents’ careers, rate with parents having their own business is 13,3% - 14%, working for enterprises is 4,0% - 5,9%; taking managerial positions 0,9%; most of the interviewees having parents doing jobs different from theirs (79,8% - 81%) In terms of survey area, survey samples are the youths living and working in 10 provinces/cities (of central, north and south parts) including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 46.1% living at rural areas and 53.9% in urban areas With research scope and nature as analysed above, such samples are qualified for quantitative analysis of next steps 4.2.2 Testing the scales 4.2.2.1 Testing reliability of the scales for the model’s factors The scales in research ensure reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for each observed variable group belonging to factors reaching 0.6 upwards, correlation factor greater than 0.4 Initial model consists of groups of factors with 41 observed variables After testing the scales by using Cronbach’s Alpha, the author has deleted DDK3, KSH5, KNK1, CSC3, CSC4 variables to ensure the scales’ good reliability and measurability 4.2.2.2 Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) a EFA with dependent variable EFA result with observed variable “EI” shows: KMO is 0.733 and variance cumulative is 61.10%, and observed variables of DDK factor are all converged into only one factor b EFA and independent scales The author uses EFA for independent variables with Eigen value = and factor loading = 0,5 Result of 1st time EFA for independent factors extracted at Eigen value = 1,085, KMO-Meyer is 0,925 and cumulative variance of the factor groups is 61,66% of data variation However, such observed factors as CSC1, CSC2 and KSH6 all have factor loading < 0.5 and disperse into different factor groups Therefore, EFA is repeated after gradually removing CSC2, KSH6, CSC1 Result of the last EFA shows that KMO is 0,919 and cumulative variance of the factor groups is 64.26% of data variation The last EFA result with observed factors show that the observed factors converged into factors are: Need for achievement (NCT), Attitude towards entrepreneurship (TDK), Entrepreneurial education (GDK), Perceived behaviourial control (KSH), Subjective norm (CCQ), Attitude towards mney (TDT) and Entrepreneurial experience (KNK) Therefore, after conducting EFA, observed factors and scales, supportive policies of government (CSC) has been excluded as such factor fails to ensure the factor loading as required, therefore, shall not be either included in the model or appear in next CFA and SEM procedures 7 4.2.2.3 Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) The observed variables of DDK scale is included into observed variables of the scales for factors affecting EI in the model to conduct EFA prior to CFA procedure The analysis method used is Principal Axis Factoring with Promax, factor loading at 0,5 First time EFA result shows that TDK1 and GDK5 having factor loading < 0,5, therefore such factors have been excluded from the model prior to CFA procedure After such exclusion of the two irrelevant factors, result of the last EFA reveals KMO = 0,923 and very tiny Sig factor of Barlett, which shows observed factors are statistically relevant, cumulative variance value of 54,86% and factor loading > 0.5 prove that the observed factors are reliable for factor analysis Therefore, variable groups in the analysis model for factors affecting EI remain 30 observed variables converged into factors, namely: NCT (6 observed variables), TDK (4 observed variables), KSH (4 observed variables), GDK (4 observed variables), CCQ (3 observed variables), TDT (3 observed variables), KNK (2 observed variables) DDK (4 observed variables) These factors will be included in the CFA before carrying out model analysis process First analysis result reveals good Model Fit; however, KSH2’s standardized regression factor of 0,428 < 0,5 thus such factor has been excluded from the scale and CFA procedure Model Fit result in the last CFA reveals số CMIN/DF = 4,05 < 5, all of GFI, CFI TLI > 0,9; RMSEA = 0,048 < 0,08, therefore, the proposed analysis model is reliable and relevant to the survey data Analysis result shows that standardized factors are all larger than 0.5 and unstandardized factors are all statistically significant therefore the definition scales achieve convergence values Results of variance tables, variable correlation factor and factor variance all satisfactory with low P-value, each definition pair’s correlation factor is low; therefore, definitions are all distinguished Calculation results of overall reliability and cumulative variance reveal that all the scales have general reliability from 0.74 to 8.5 (> 0,6); most of the scales have cumulative extracted variance > 0,5 Therefore, basically the scales have distinguished value (Fornell v& Lacker, 1981; Bagozzi &Yi, 1998; Hair, 1998) Hence, testing of reliability of the analysis model through indices and scale reliability, convergence value and distinguished value can affirm the reliability of the analysis model for survey data; meanwhile, the definitions can be well used in the model structure analysis of the next steps 4.2.3 Descriptive statistics analysis of the scales in the model To understand at which level the factors in the model are assessed, the author uses descriptive statistics to assess the youths’ opinions of the observed variables of the scales for the factors in the model Result has revealed that most of the factors, interviewees show their agreement at average scale (3.02) Therefore, the surveyed youths tend to rather highly agree with statements about Attitude towards entrepreneurship, Attitude towards money, Subjective norm, Entrepreneurial education, Need for achievement Among those factors, Need for achievement gets the highest agreement (3,87) Descriptive statistics result for EI reveals desire for entrepreneurship of the youths are generally at average level (3,38) The result also shows whereas willingness level to anything to become an entrepreneur and to decide upon a future business establishment appears to be average (3.16), the intention to start and run their own business with best endeavours gets rather high score from the youths (3.7) 4.2.4 Analysis of EI differences in various basic traits of Vietnamese youths 4.2.4.1 Gender Analysis result shows, men have different EI from women Kết phân tích cho thấy, nam TN có dự định KSKD khác so với nữ giới Result of DDKgeneral of male group is higher than female group ( Nam=3,46; Nữ=3,29; sig.=0,001) Of the statements related to EI, namely “I’ll try my best to start and run my own business”, “I’ve decided to open up a company in the future”, “My career target is to become an entrepreneur”, “I’m willing to anything to become an entrepreneur”, the average point for agreement by men is higher than that of women Testing result for such difference between male and female agreement levels reveals that there is obvious difference at all observed variables in DDK scale 4.2.4.2 Career status of the youths Analysis result shows difference (significant) in EI’s average value between group of university students and group of young workers, EI value of the latter is higher ( NĐL=3,42; SV=3,31; sig.=0,032) The difference shown in the statements of “willing to anything to become an entrepreneur”-DDK1, “will my best to start and run my own business”-DDK2, “decided to open up a company in the future” -DDK4 of university students is lower than that of young workers This also reveals attitude and thought for entrepreneurship of young workers is obviously different from that of university students 4.2.4.3 Expertise Average result in comparison of different professionalism groups shows difference (significant) in EI in general, and among groups of different expertise, especially groups of post-graduate and college degree Descriptive statistics shows a higher agreement upon EI by post-graduate group than that of those with college or vocational degrees 4.2.4.4 Working experience ANOVA analysis result shows it appears that EI of the youths in general does not have a dependent relation with years of their actual working experience Statement on EI only reveals difference in years of working experience in “Decision to open up a company in the future” factor – DDK4 4.2.4.5 Regions Generally, the youths in the Central have higher agreement level upon EI than that of those in the North and in the South The determination to become entrepreneurs and endeavours to start and run their business among the Central group is higher than that of the North and South groups However, decision to open up a company (DDK4) and shaping up a future entrepreneur (DDK5) is obviously different among the groups EI is different (statistically) among regions Specifically, the youths in the Central have different EI from those in the North and those in the South; however, those in the North and in the South not have clear difference in their EI 4.2.4.6 Pursuing parents’ jobs EI of the youths may depend on their parents’ jobs, or, in other words, family tradition may influence the youths’ EI To clarify such difference, the author uses ANOVA method to analyse variables in DDK scale according to parents’ jobs Parents’ jobs have influence in their children’s EI; i.e., those whose parents run their own business, are selfemployed or take up managerial positions in enterprises have remarkably higher agreement with EI than those whose parents work in different sectors This implies that entrepreneurial thinking, attitude and behaviour of the youths also depends on their parents’ jobs and family tradition 4.2.5 Analysis of the factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths 4.2.5.1 Result of model structure analysis for factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths To analyse relationships in the research model and confirm research hypotheses, the author uses Structural Equation Model (SEM) and AMOS software for data processing Analysis result reveals that despite the model’s relevance to research data, some relationships are not statistically significant, i.e., the relationship between entrepreneurial education and EI is not statistically significant (p = 0,897); similarly, subjective norm and attitude towards money not have a relationship with EI (p = 0,266 and 0,840 respectively) Relationships between entrepreneurial experience, attitude towards entrepreneurship, need for achievement, attitude towards entrepreneurship are all significant Aditionally, entrepreneurial experience and entrepreneurial education have positive relationship with attitude towards entrepreneurship with statistical significance of 1% Therefore, initial SEM analysis result does not reveal effect of TDT, GDK and CCQ to DDK; GDK does not directly affect DDK but TDK, so such factor remains in the below adjusted model (to consider intermediate influence of factor TDK) To gain more accurate estimated result, the adjusted model has excluded statistically insignificant relationships and conducted re-analysis Result shows that the indices confirm the model’s suitability: CMIN/DF = 5,258; GFI, CFI and TLI all > 0.9; RMSEA = 0.057 < 0.08, therefore, the adjusted research model is appropriate with the survey data (Figure 4.1) Figure 4.1 (Adjusted) standardized SEM analysis result In the adjusted SEM, GDK and KNK both affect TDK KNK, NCT, KSH and TDK all affect DDK and are statistically significant (p < 0.05) GDK has intermediate effect to DDK rather than directly Unstandardized factors are all positive showing that such factors as KNK, NCT, KSH and TDK have positive influence on DDK Results of standardised regression factors reveal that entrepreneurial education (GDK) strongly affects Attitude towards entrepreneurship (TDK) Among factors directly affecting EI of the youths, attitude towards entrepreneurship (TDK) and perceived behavourial control have strongest influence whereas entrepreneurial experience (KNK) has weakest influence on EI (standardized regression coefficient is 0,152) 4.2.5.2 Multigroup structure model analysis The study uses Chi-square standard, a multigroup structure model analysis technique to conclude the difference in EI of the youths according to control variables of gender, educational level, career status, parents’ jobs For each control variable, total samples will be divided into various groups subject to number of such control variable’s forms The author builds up structural models: variable model (affecting factors are different among groups) and invariable model (affecting factors have no difference among groups) After having result for two groups, difference between the two models will be determined and by using Chi-square, difference will be concluded Hypothesis H0 in this test is: There is no difference between variable model and invariable model (using invariable model result) Multigroup structural model analysis results are as below: 10 (i) Relationship of the factors in the model affecting EI of the youths does not have difference between male and female groups KNK, NCT, TDK, KSH all have direct influence on EI of both male and female youths and GDK has indirect influence on EI through TDK For both genders, Perceived behaviourial control (KSH) and Attitude towards entrepreneurship (TDK) are two strongest factors affecting EI of the youths Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, Central Vietnamese Youth Organization need to develop the leading role in accompanying the youths’ entrepreneurial activities, especially propagandizing and supporting local youth unions and schools Supportive activities conducted by Youth Union or Youth Organisation can be done through competitions of startup initiaitives, introductions of successful startup models, implementation of advisory activities, supporting to access incentive capital resources, preparation of essential skills, knowledge for the youths to startup (ii) Influences of the factors on EI are different among student group and young worker group Results of the structural model’s regression factor of student group and young worker group show as for students, Need for money does not affect their EI (p=0,602) and Attitude towards entrepreneurship has the most influence on their EI; whereas, as for young workers, all factors in the model have influence on their EI and Perceived behaviourial control is the strongest factor affecting their EI (iii) No matter what expertise the youths have, their EI is directly influenced by Need for achievement, Entrepreneurial experience, Attitude towards entrepreneurship, Perceived behaviourial control and indirectly influenced by Entrepreneurial education (iv) Relationship of the factors in the model affecting EI of the youths does not have difference among parents’ careers, or in other words, EI of the youths coming from families with parents doing their own business or working for other sectors is influenced by all the factors in the model *** CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION OF STUDY FINDINGS AND PROPOSALS TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG VIETNAMESE YOUTHS 5.1 Discussion of the study findings The thesis findings has clarified its literature review and factual background on promotion of entrepreneurship in general and among Vietnamese youths in particular, in which: Several hypotheses are initially raised without testing data, including: H1: Attitude towards money has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Study findings show despite positive attitude towards money, Vietnamese youths not choose startup path to satisfy their need for money H3: Subjective norm has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Actually, despite positive assessment of subjective norm’s role, entrepreneurial decision of the youths in this study does not have any relationship or has little relationship with social groups like families, friends or acquaintances surrounding them H8: Entrepreneurial education has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Role of entrepreneurial education has been recognized both in reality and with scientific evidence However, in Vietnamese society, entrepreneurial education is not clear, that directly affects attitude and assessment of the youths for their EI The study reveals intermediate role of entrepreneurial education on EI of Vietnamese youths H10: Government support has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Although recently, the government has had various positive actions to promote startup in the society, such actions have not widely spread to the youths to get their positive assessment yet Therefore, the thesis research data are not sufficient to confirm agreement or objection to this hypothesis Apart from the aforementioned hypotheses that have not been tested, most of the initial hypotheses have been clarified by the author’s survey result analysis, including: H2: Attitude towards entrepreneurship has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths H4: Perceived behaviourial control has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths H5: Need for achievement has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths H6: Experience has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Coordination from local to central authorities, among departments, associations in implementation of propaganda of the Communist, Government and State positions, regimes and policies on entrepreneurship for the youths Propaganda activities can be organised to build up awareness, perception and spirit of entrepreneurship, communication, consulting, vocational programs appropriate to each group of youths, particularly the ”Support for entrepreneurship of students up to 2025” program Entrepreneurial education is not merely to provide knowledge and skills to the youths, moreoever, to create environment for them to experience and experiment actual entrepreneurial activities to establish positive attitude, belief and culture towards entrepreneurship for the youths The State’s direction, policies on promoting entrepreneurship among the youths shall focus on those related to positive communication on entrepreneurial spirit, culture, dynamic environment and community comprising all forms of entrepreneurial ecosystem In entrepreneurship, risks and failures are of high possibility, therefore, entrepreneurial education should link to an entrepreneurial culture for the youths and facilitate them to study and experience actual facts to gain entrepreneurial experience It is necessary to build up a healthy business environment with developing, dynamic market operating with all necessary rules and principles and under State interference for prediction and mitigation purpose In order to implement this direction in Vietnam, the State must commit and resolutely conduct the public sector narrowing, startup nation promoting to open up business opportunities for the youths Precise policies to improve business environment is necessary, for example, policies to orientate or recognize business opportunities or facilitate startup enterprises to integrate into the market, … Second: Improve perceived behaviourial control of the youths Thesis study findings confirm positive influence of the perceived behaviourial control on IE of Vietnamese youths Therefore, influences to improve their perceived behaviourial control should be pay sufficient attention Reality reveals that the youths’ perceived behaviourial control comes from their confidence, good preparation of necessary knowledge and skills as well as awareness of entrepreneurship These factors are formed from entrepreneurial experience and education activities Promoting entrepreneurship for Vietnamese youths needs to combine with promoting current business environment, especially creating favourable legal corridor for entrepreneurship A synchronous and persistent legal frame, then forming dedicated law for entrepreneurship is necessary Furthermore, supportive services for entrepreneurship should also be implemented Appearance of positive actions through specific policies to accompany the youths’ entrepreneurship, to build a startup nation will directly influence awareness of entrepreneurship to all of its people, especially the youths Implementation of current supportive policies should be practicable, effective for each period, at each level, entity such as: local startup supporting council (province, districtlevel), startup supporting centres at ministries, provinces, cities and universities Universities shall be in cooperation with localities in implementation of entrepreneurial supporting activities Building and developing startup ecosystem in universities to use available resources, namely: enterprise community, alumnae, researchers, experts, professors, … as well as serving students themselves participating in entrepreneurial activities Connection network between enterprises and universities should be built to create a database related to income, data update, consultation and information provision for the youths having EI On the other hand, practical supportive activities for startup projects by the youths at university shall be considered a strong motice force to develop startup initiatives and opportunities for the students to sell themselves as well as to establish positive attitude towards entrepreneurship H7: Attitude may be an intermediate variable of the relationship between experience and EI of Vietnamese youths Third: Focus, invest in entrepreneurial education for the youths, develop entrepreneurial education model in secondary schools H9: Attitude towards entrepreneurship is an intermediate variable of the relationship between entrepreneurial education and EI of Vjetnamese youths Study findings show that entrepreneurial education’s direct influence on Vietnamese youths’ EI has not been confirmed However, analysis result reveals entrepreneurial education factor has positive relationship with attitude towards entrepreneurship and influences on EI of Vietnamese youths Therefore, entrepreneurial education has positive influence on the improvement of attitude towards entrepreneurship, leading to improvement of Vietnamese youths’ EI The result has affirmed importance of entrepreneurial education on improvement of Vietnamese youths’ EI 5.2 Proposals to promote entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youths First, enhance perception, attitude of the youths on entrepreneurship, shaping positive attitude towards entrepreneurship, helping the youths to nurture and develop EI Among the factors affecting EI of the youths, attitude towards entrepreneurship has the biggest influence Therefore, in order to enhance positive attitude of Vietnamese youths towards entrepreneurial activities, it’s necessary to strenghthen effectively propaganda activities, fostering the youths’ ambition to become entrepreneurs, to take startup path and to come rich for themselves and their families, appreciating successful entrepreneurs, excellent youths with admirable economic achievements To develop entrepreneurial education role, the State shall need to direct relevant ministries and branches, especially the Ministry of Education and Training to coordinate with HCM Communist Youth Union Central in implementation of entrepreneurial activities for the youths Entrepreneurial education activities shall not only be limited to students, it should also address training section to meet the youths’ demand for continuous study Improvement of entrepreurial education quality for the youths in terms of both content, form and method should be focused Schools should cooperate closely with enterprises to ensure their education is linked with reality, theory with practice, as well as to mobilise human resources from enterprises to teach students, i.e experts of different professions, mangers from different enterprises 11 To make entrepreneurial education become an official program at schools, the State should focus on policies facilitating education such as sponsoring startup training programs Entrepreneurial education should be included in national education system from secondary level through STEM, STEAM, financial thinking, administration subjects to nurture passion, ambition for entrepreneurship and prepare basic knowledge and skills for entrepreneurship from early stage of life Fourth: Continue completing policy system to promote appropriate entrepreneurship in harmony with market development and demand for support by the youths participating in entrepreneurship field In this study, despite the fact that Government support has no influence on EI of Vietnamese youths, this issue should be of great interest and solutions should be offered so that government support can be of efficiency In the supportive policy system for entrepreneurship of the youths, local entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas must be taken appropriate care The government should focus on training the youths living in rural areas with basic knowledge for entrepreneurship to develop their business ideas and to make advantage of available resources of the locality 5.3 Contributions and limitations of the research 5.3.1 New contributions of the thesis - First contribution is the overall testing of significant factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths; - Second contribution is re-testing of controversial factors, namely: perceived behaviourial control (Ruhle et al., 2010; Paco et al., 2011), entrepreneurial experience (Basu & Virick, 2008; Davidsson, 1995), family business tradition (Marques et al., 2014; Krueger & Dickson, 1993), supportive policies from the government for entrepreneurship (Lüthje & Frank, 2003), gender, age, educational level (BarNir & Watson, 2011; Shinnar & Giacomin, 2012) This helps reinforce relevant theories related to the factors affecting EI; - Third contribution is testing of new variables in next context in Vietnam, including: factors belonging to personality, related to entrepreneurial education, environment (legal system, government support, family business tradition) to EI in the typical cultural, social, economic environment of Vietnam; assessment of the youths’ EI (18 – 30 years of age) as well as comparative studies of the youths in rual and urban areas or of students and young workers; - Fourth contribution is introduction of a framework for entrepreneurial development for Vietnamese youths, through which, policy makers, relevant ministries and branches and enterprises can use as a foundation to issue rational policies and solutions to promoting entrepreneurship among such potential groups 5.3.2 Limitations of the thesis - First limication is the survey is conducted one time only, whereas influence of variables on EI of Vietnemse youths should be measured for a certain period of time Therefore, next studies should test such relationshop during a sufficient period of time for more accuracy - Second limitation is the scales largely depend on awareness of the surveyed people Therefore, inherited studies should supplement quantitative and subjective data for more better result - Last, the study is conducted at a number of provinces In order to increase accuracy, survey samples should be widened in terms of scope to better representation of Vietnamese youths at different areas of the country *** CONCLUSION The thesis findings have contributed both theoretically and practically Based on the factors inherited from TPP and SEE models, the author has built a significant research model for the factors affecting EI of Vietnamese youths, then showed the role of such factors as attitude towards entrepreneurship, perceived behaviourial control, entrepreneurial expericen and need for achievement affecting EI of Vietnamese youths Furthermore, the thesis also reveals an intermediate relationship between variables in the models for EI of Vietnamese youths This can be used as a ground to propose solutions to facilitating entrepreneurship of the youths Understanding of the factors affecting EI of the youths is the base to efficiently implement supportive policies for the youths to enterpreneurship The study result also provides policy makers, relevant ministries and branches with a thorough insight into entrepreneurial education to inspire the youths about entrepreneurship, to effectively carry out activities supporting the youths’ entrepreneurship and promoting entrepreneurial activities of Vietnamese youths ... differences in various basic traits of Vietnamese youths 4.2.4.1 Gender Analysis result shows, men have different EI from women Kết phân tích cho thấy, nam TN có dự định KSKD khác so với nữ giới Result... testing data, including: H1: Attitude towards money has positive influence on EI of Vietnamese youths Study findings show despite positive attitude towards money, Vietnamese youths not choose startup... improvement of Vietnamese youths’ EI 5.2 Proposals to promote entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youths First, enhance perception, attitude of the youths on entrepreneurship, shaping positive attitude towards