THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION: THE CASE OF ALGERIAN STUDENTS AT THE END OF THE CYCLE “SEGC”

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the relative influence of personal and environmental variables on entrepreneurial intention. Data was collected from 302 graduating students from six universities and colleges. The results show that the personal characteristics (autonomy and financial security) significantly influence the entrepreneurial intention of the students, while the perceptions of the environmental conditions are not significant. However, isolated regressions of the environmental variable reveal the influence of certain environmental factors (e.g. business climate, networks and support systems for business creation) on the intention to create a business.