Perceived Social Support and Social Status As Drivers of Entrepreneurial Career Intentions Between Caucasian and Mexican-American Young Adults

Author: Janejira Sutanonpaiboon, Ph.D., et al.

Publication: Journal of Entrepreneurship Education

Publication Date: January 2014

Abstract:
This study explores perceived social status, social support as well as institutional support as important antecedents of entrepreneurial career intentions (ECI). Specifically, two research questions were empirically investigated: Do social and institutional factors predict ECI among minority (Mexican-American) and non-minority (Caucasian) groups? and, Is there a significant difference in ECI between U.S.-born Mexican-American and Caucasian adults? The results of our data analyses of 170 graduating seniors in two large US universities indicate that social factors are significant predictors of ECI. Specifically, we found that perceived social status and perceived social support significantly predicted ECI among Mexican-American respondents. The findings also showed that the degree of ECI is significantly higher among Mexican-American respondents. Overall, the findings highlight the important role social factors play in fostering entrepreneurship and nascent behavior among Mexican-American Americans. This study contributes to the minority entrepreneurship literature by exploring entrepreneurial intention in general and social factors in particular.

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