Empowering the next generation: the influence of self-efficacy on entrepreneurial motivation and behavior among African students

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is a fundamental driver of economic growth and innovation, particularly in emerging economies where youth unemployment remains a critical challenge. This study examines the role of self-efficacy in shaping entrepreneurial motivation and behaviour among students at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South Africa. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, this study integrates Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour and Becker’s Human Capital Theory to explore the link between self-efficacy, entrepreneurial intentions, and long-term business success. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with purposively selected students enrolled in entrepreneurship programs. Thematic analysis was utilised to extract key themes related to self-efficacy, resilience, risk-taking behaviour, and socio-economic influences. The findings indicate that students with higher levels of self-efficacy demonstrate stronger entrepreneurial motivation, persistence, and proactive business engagement. The study further explores the role of mentorship programs, institutional support, and policy interventions in enhancing self-efficacy among young entrepreneurs. The research offers critical policy recommendations for higher education institutions, government bodies, and business incubators, advocating for structured entrepreneurship training, financial accessibility reforms, and mentorship-driven ecosystem development. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurial self-efficacy in emerging markets and provide actionable strategies to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among university students.

Keywords: {'name': 'Self efficacy'}, {'name': 'motivtion'}, {'name': 'behaviuor students'}

Authors & affiliations

Semukele Hellen Mlotshwa
Affiliation not supplied

Patrick Ebewo
Affiliation not supplied

Elona Ndlovu
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.1111/jsbm.12494

DOI: 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2014.01.015

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2021.118424

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Freeman.

DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

DOI: 10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806

DOI: 10.1108/JSBED-07-2021-0277

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120–123.

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2021.e00263

Dlamini, S. (2023). The role of the institutional environment as a barrier or an enabler to entrepreneurial and innovation activity; the case of the South African green economy industry (Doctoral dissertation). University of Westminster.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n7p294

Gielnik, M. M., Zacher, H., & Frese, M. (2021). Focus on opportunities as a mediator of the relationship between business owners’ age and venture growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 36(1), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106114

DOI: 10.1177/1525822X05279903

DOI: 10.1002/tie.22157

DOI: 10.1177/0974173920100316

DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00298.x

DOI: 10.1016/S0883-9026(98)00033-0

DOI: 10.4337/9781839104145.00011

DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2018.05.012

DOI: 10.1177/1609406917733847

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Shane, S., & Venkataraman, S. (2021). The promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research: An update. Academy of Management Review, 46(1), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2019.0310

Steenkamp, M., van der Merwe, S. P., & Athayde, R. (2024). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and business performance in emerging markets: Evidence from South Africa. South African Journal of Business Management, 55(1), 23-40. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v55i1.1234

Taneja, S., Pryor, M. G., & Sewell, S. M. (2024). Entrepreneurial ecosystems: Examining the role of institutions, mentors, and networks in fostering self-efficacy. Journal of Entrepreneurship & Organization Management, 11(1), 58-74. https://doi.org/10.4172/2169-026X.1000269

DOI: 10.4135/9781526405555.n2

Ucbasaran, D., Westhead, P., Wright, M., & Flores, M. (2008). The nature of entrepreneurial experience, business failure and comparative optimism. Journal of Business Venturing, 23(2), 112-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2006.12.001

DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12048

DOI: 10.1186/s12874-018-0594-7

Welter, F., Baker, T., Audretsch, D. B., & Gartner, W. B. (2021). Everyday entrepreneurship—a call for entrepreneurship research to embrace entrepreneurial diversity. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(5), 1269-1294. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258720930992

DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.90.6.1265