The impact of autonomy on the relationship between mentoring and entrepreneurial intentions among youth in Germany, Kenya, and Uganda
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how autonomy, moderated by employment
status, impacts the relationship between entrepreneurial mentoring (EM) and entrepreneurial intentions (EI)
among three countries (Germany, Kenya, and Uganda); as informed by both theory of planned behavior and
self-determination theory.
Design/methodology/approach – A convenient sample of 1,509 youth from Germany, Kenya,
and Uganda consisting of final-year university students, wage-employed, and unemployed was
identified and studied. A multi-group analysis was conducted to test for differences in the impact of EM
and autonomy on EI.
Findings – The findings indicate that mentoring and autonomy are positively correlated with EI. EM and
intentions were lower among German participants than for the East African countries. The moderated
moderation results revealed that EM is related to higher EI among students and the unemployed, and when
individuals have higher levels of autonomy. Country-level analysis showed the effects of EM and autonomy
are highest in Germany and lowest in Uganda.
Practical implications – Mentoring and self-determination play an important role in the development of EI.
Entrepreneurship mentors should specifically support their protégées to develop the ability to act
autonomously as an important entrepreneurial competence. The results further indicate that effectiveness of
EM varies according to employment status and among countries. This is particularly important for targeting
and designing of EM interventions. EM resources should be applied to youth with high autonomy, who are in
either in insecure wage employment or who have no jobs. Protégés with low levels of autonomy should be
supported to appreciate autonomy and develop the ability for autonomous action. Future EI research should
also examine the impact of the availability of attractive positions in wage employment; and the effects of the
availability of social safety nets on the need for autonomy.
Originality/value – A major challenge in EI research is the predominant focus on student populations.
Using a multi-group analysis, the present paper tested for differences in the impact of EM and autonomy on
EI. EM and EI were lower in German participants that in Kenyan and Ugandan participants. Whereas EM
was generally positively correlated to EI, the moderated results showed that EM is related to higher EI among
students and the unemployed, and when participants have higher autonomy. The study implies that EM and
EI are highly correlated when participants need to work but have not or cannot find work or whey they do not
need salaried employment to survive.
Description
Keywords
Autonomy, Self-determination theory, Entrepreneurial intentions,, Entrepreneurial education
Citation
Martin Mabunda Baluku, Matagi Leonsio, Edward Bantu, Kathleen Otto, (2018) "The impact of autonomy on the relationship between mentoring and entrepreneurial intentions among youth in Germany, Kenya, and Uganda", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, https:// doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-10-2017-0373