Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Journey: Factors Influencing University Graduates' Entrepreneurial Intentions in Bangkok

Abstract

This study explores the factors influencing entrepreneurial action among university graduates in Bangkok, focusing on understanding how education, personal traits, institutional support, and entrepreneurial intention contribute to post-graduation entrepreneurial outcomes. As entrepreneurship continues to gain recognition as a vital driver of economic resilience and innovation in Thailand, especially in urban contexts, understanding what propels graduates to become entrepreneurs is increasingly critical. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and relevant entrepreneurship literature, the study employs a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire distributed to recent graduates from public and private universities. The analysis identifies four key factors: entrepreneurial education exposure, access to funding and resources, personal characteristics, and entrepreneurial intention that significantly predict entrepreneurial action. The findings highlight the importance of aligning educational programs with practical business skills and creating enabling environments that support graduates' transition into entrepreneurial roles. Entrepreneurial intention was also shown to act as a pivotal factor in converting an entrepreneurial mindset into actual business ventures. The results contribute to theory and practice by validating a multi-variable model of graduate entrepreneurship in an emerging economy. Implications extend to higher education policy, curriculum development, and institutional support mechanisms. This study offers a data-driven foundation for universities and policymakers seeking to promote entrepreneurship as a viable and sustainable career path for young adults. It also invites further research through longitudinal and comparative studies to expand the understanding of entrepreneurship development across varying educational and socio-economic contexts.This study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting entrepreneurship as a sustainable career path for young graduates in emerging economies.