Social media use and entrepreneurial intention of students in higher education
Abstract:
Purpose: Social media use has become pervasive in the lives of students in both academic and nonacademic activities. This study aimed to assess the influence of social media use on the entrepreneurial intention of final-year students of the Higher National Diploma (HND) final year students of Accra Technical University (ATU).
Research Methodology: The study used a descriptive research methodology that adopted a quantitative research approach; with a population of HND final-year students, data were gathered from 200 respondents through questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study. The data received from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics 24.
Results: The results showed that students were very active on social media and found it very useful. Five-year students considered entrepreneurship a career choice after school. The results also indicated that social media use had a significant direct effect on students’ entrepreneurial intention.
Limitations: This study focused on social media use as a determinant of entrepreneurial intention, and was limited to final-year HND students.
Contribution: Tertiary institutions, as part of entrepreneurship education, should allow students to explore the use of social media to advance the entrepreneurship drive as this increases entrepreneurial intention.
Practical Implications: Educators must inculcate the use of social media in practical activities during entrepreneurship education. Future research should examine how specific social media sites contribute to improving entrepreneurial intention among final-year students in tertiary institutions.
Novelty: This study examined social media as a factor influencing students’ entrepreneurial intentions.
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Adebiyi, S. O., Amole, B. B., Arikewuyo, K. A., & Oyenuga, O. G. (2019). Multi-criteria decision analysis of entrepreneurial orientation and business performance in Nigeria. Economics and Business, 33(1), 140-151.
Alayis, M. M. H., Abdelwahed, N. A. A., & Atteya, N. (2018). IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES'USE ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS: THE CASE OF SAUDI ARABIA. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 22(4), 1-18.
Allen, K., & Nelson, D. (2013). A case study on integrating social media in an online graduate youth development course. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 9(4), 566-574.
Amanamah, R. B., Acheampong, A., & Owusu, E. K. (2018). An exploratory study of entrepreneurial intention among university students in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 7(1), 140-148.
Arogundade, M., & Adewale, O. (2020). Social media tools, trends, opportunities for public relations practice in Lagos state, Nigeria. Caleb Journal of Social and Management Science, 5(2), 143-157.
Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual review of psychology, 52(1), 1-26.
Bans-Akutey, A. (2020). Change management amid pandemic–A case of tertiary educators in Ghana. GSJ, 8(8), 1642-1649.
Bans-Akutey, A. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and personality traits as predictors of entrepreneurial intention: A qualitative approach. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 147-158.
Bans-Akutey, A., Abdullahi, A. M., & Afriyie, E. O. (2021). Effect of recruitment and selection practices on organisational strategic goals. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 35-51.
Bans-Akutey, A., Sassah, M., Akey-Torku, B., & Afriyie, E. O. (2023). Entrepreneurship Education and Graduate Employability of Private Tertiary Students in Ghana. African Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2(1), 81-102.
Bharti, S. S. (2021). Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in India. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(2), 129-139.
Bhaskar, A. U., & Garimella, S. (2017). A study of predictors of entrepreneurial intentions: Development of comprehensive measures. Global business review, 18(3), 629-651.
Chaniago, H., & Sayuti, A. M. (2019). Peran Adopsi Teknologi Social Media Terhadap Niat Berwirausaha Mahasiswa. Jurnal Riset bisnis dan investasi, 5(3), 24-35.
Chaniago, H., & Sayuti, A. M. (2022). The impact of social media use on student entrepreneurship intention and implementation: Evidence from Indonesia. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business (JAFEB), 9(2), 371-382.
Chen, J. (2022). Effectiveness of blended learning to develop learner autonomy in a Chinese university translation course. Education and Information Technologies, 27(9), 12337-12361.
Chow, T. W., & Singh, H. (2022). Cultivating emerging leadership competencies for individual and organizational success. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 129-145.
Coleman, J. S. (1994). Foundations of social theory: Harvard university press.
Cui, J., & Bell, R. (2022). Behavioural entrepreneurial mindset: How entrepreneurial education activity impacts entrepreneurial intention and behaviour. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100639.
Darko, L. I. O., Bans-Akutey, A., Ugoh, J. K., Ankomah, H., & Afriyie, E. O. (2022). The role of personality differences in achieving organisational productivity. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 159-173.
Dewi, W. S., Pradana, M., Sari, D., Nugraha, D. W., & Adiputri, L. C. (2021). The influence of knowledge, social media utilization and motivation on entrepreneurial intention (Case study: Telkom university students). Paper presented at the Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.
Dhaliwal, A. (2016). Role of entrepreneurship in economic development. International Journal of scientific research and management, 4(6), 4262-4269.
Dutta, D. K., Gwebu, K. L., & Wang, J. (2015). Personal innovativeness in technology, related knowledge and experience, and entrepreneurial intentions in emerging technology industries: a process of causation or effectuation? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11, 529-555.
Ebuka, A. A., Emmanuel, D., & Idigo, P. (2023). Artificial Intelligence as a catalyst for the Sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(1), 1-11.
Enginkaya, E., & Y?lmaz, H. (2014). What drives consumers to interact with brands through social media? A motivation scale development study. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 148, 219-226.
Gaber, H. R., & Wright, L. T. (2014). Fast-food advertising in social media. A case study on Facebook in Egypt. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 9(1), 52-63.
Guan, M., & So, J. (2016). Influence of social identity on self-efficacy beliefs through perceived social support: A social identity theory perspective. Communication Studies, 67(5), 588-604.
Hameed, I. (2011). Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Entrepreneurial Management and Environmental Dynamism on Firm’ s Financial Performance. Journal of Economics and Behavioral studies, 3(2), 101-114.
Hand, J. (2020). Identity politics of the Alt Right: social identity theory applied.
Harcup, T. (2014). “News with a kick”: A model of oppositional reporting. Communication, Culture & Critique, 7(4), 559-577.
Hoda, N., & Fallatah, M. (2022). Social Networking Site Usage, Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Intention: An Empirical Study from Saudi Arabia. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 9(5), 421-429.
Jagongo, A., & Kinyua, C. (2013). The social media and entrepreneurship growth. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(10), 213-227.
Kirakosyan, K. (2014). The managerial view of social media usage in banking industry: case study for Romanian banking system. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the International Management Conference, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania.
Kreiser, P. M., & Davis, J. (2010). Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: The unique impact of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 23(1), 39-51.
Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction—a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. W. (2009). Development and cross–cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship theory and Practice, 33(3), 593-617.
Mahmod, S. (2022). Demystifying work-related outcomes and life satisfaction of Bangladeshi working women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 109-127.
Mirakyan, A. (2022). SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH: EXPLORING UNDERSTANDING OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDENTS. Paper presented at the EDULEARN22 Proceedings.
Mitchell, R. K., Busenitz, L., Lant, T., McDougall, P. P., Morse, E. A., & Smith, J. B. (2002). Toward a theory of entrepreneurial cognition: Rethinking the people side of entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship theory and Practice, 27(2), 93-104.
Momen, M. A., Shahriar, S. H. B., Hassan, M. K., & Sultana, S. (2020). Determinants of using social networking sites toward entrepreneurial success: experience from a developing nation. Emerging Economy Studies, 6(2), 191-200.
Naab, R., & Bans-Akutey, A. (2021). Assessing the use of e-business strategies by SMEs in Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 2(3), 145-160.
Nawi, N. B. C., Mamun, A. A., Nasir, N. A. B. M., Shokery, N. M. B. A. H., Raston, N. B. A., & Fazal, S. A. (2017). Acceptance and usage of social media as a platform among student entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 24(2), 375-393.
Nusraningrum, D., & Endri, E. (2024). Investigating the relationship between web quality, brand image, price, and student satisfaction: Evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 8(2), 1213-1222.
Obermayer, N., K?vári, E., Leinonen, J., Bak, G., & Valeri, M. (2022). How social media practices shape family business performance: the wine industry case study. European Management Journal, 40(3), 360-371.
Panayides, P. (2006). Enhancing innovation capability through relationship management and implications for performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, 9(4), 466-483.
Pradana, P., Pangestu, R., Fitriani, L. A., & Sanjaya, V. F. (2020). Use of Social Media and Consumer Behavior towards Students Lifestyle in Lampung. JURNAL MUTIARA MANAJEMEN, 5(2), 10-20.
Rauch, A., & Hulsink, W. (2015). Putting entrepreneurship education where the intention to act lies: An investigation into the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial behavior. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 14(2), 187-204.
Rosenberg, M. (2017). The self-concept: Social product and social force Social psychology (pp. 593-624): Routledge.
Rui, J., & Stefanone, M. A. (2013). Strategic self-presentation online: A cross-cultural study. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 110-118.
Samosir, J., Purba, O., Ricardianto, P., Dinda, M., Rafi, S., Sinta, A., . . . Endri, E. (2023). The role of social media marketing and brand equity on e-WOM: Evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 7(2), 609-626.
Sánchez, J. C. (2013). The impact of an entrepreneurship education program on entrepreneurial competencies and intention. Journal of small business management, 51(3), 447-465.
Saragih, R., Kumalasari, A. D., Pradana, M., Utami, F. N., & Utami, D. G. (2021). Measuring Entrepreneurial Intention of Female Students in West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, 5(3), 337–344-337–344.
Seroka-Stolka, O., & Tomski, P. (2014). Internet social media and international entrepreneurial intentions. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Wei International Academic Conference.
Shabbir, M. S., Ghazi, M. S., & Mehmood, A. R. (2016). Impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(3), 203-205.
Shah, I. A., Amjed, S., & Jaboob, S. (2020). The moderating role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Economic Structures, 9, 1-15.
Tajpour, M., & Hosseini, E. (2021). Entrepreneurial intention and the performance of digital startups: The mediating role of social media. Journal of Content, Community & Communication, 13(1), 2-15.
Young, I. M. (2020). Intersecting Voices: Dilemmas of Gender, Political Philosophy, and Policy.
Zakso, A., Agung, I., & Amin, A. (2020). The Influence Factors of School Management in Developing Entrepreneurship Literacy in Vocational Education. World, 2(2), 109-122.
- Adebiyi, S. O., Amole, B. B., Arikewuyo, K. A., & Oyenuga, O. G. (2019). Multi-criteria decision analysis of entrepreneurial orientation and business performance in Nigeria. Economics and Business, 33(1), 140-151.
- Alayis, M. M. H., Abdelwahed, N. A. A., & Atteya, N. (2018). IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES'USE ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS: THE CASE OF SAUDI ARABIA. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 22(4), 1-18.
- Allen, K., & Nelson, D. (2013). A case study on integrating social media in an online graduate youth development course. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 9(4), 566-574.
- Amanamah, R. B., Acheampong, A., & Owusu, E. K. (2018). An exploratory study of entrepreneurial intention among university students in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 7(1), 140-148.
- Arogundade, M., & Adewale, O. (2020). Social media tools, trends, opportunities for public relations practice in Lagos state, Nigeria. Caleb Journal of Social and Management Science, 5(2), 143-157.
- Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual review of psychology, 52(1), 1-26.
- Bans-Akutey, A. (2020). Change management amid pandemic–A case of tertiary educators in Ghana. GSJ, 8(8), 1642-1649.
- Bans-Akutey, A. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and personality traits as predictors of entrepreneurial intention: A qualitative approach. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 147-158.
- Bans-Akutey, A., Abdullahi, A. M., & Afriyie, E. O. (2021). Effect of recruitment and selection practices on organisational strategic goals. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 35-51.
- Bans-Akutey, A., Sassah, M., Akey-Torku, B., & Afriyie, E. O. (2023). Entrepreneurship Education and Graduate Employability of Private Tertiary Students in Ghana. African Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2(1), 81-102.
- Bharti, S. S. (2021). Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in India. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(2), 129-139.
- Bhaskar, A. U., & Garimella, S. (2017). A study of predictors of entrepreneurial intentions: Development of comprehensive measures. Global business review, 18(3), 629-651.
- Chaniago, H., & Sayuti, A. M. (2019). Peran Adopsi Teknologi Social Media Terhadap Niat Berwirausaha Mahasiswa. Jurnal Riset bisnis dan investasi, 5(3), 24-35.
- Chaniago, H., & Sayuti, A. M. (2022). The impact of social media use on student entrepreneurship intention and implementation: Evidence from Indonesia. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business (JAFEB), 9(2), 371-382.
- Chen, J. (2022). Effectiveness of blended learning to develop learner autonomy in a Chinese university translation course. Education and Information Technologies, 27(9), 12337-12361.
- Chow, T. W., & Singh, H. (2022). Cultivating emerging leadership competencies for individual and organizational success. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 129-145.
- Coleman, J. S. (1994). Foundations of social theory: Harvard university press.
- Cui, J., & Bell, R. (2022). Behavioural entrepreneurial mindset: How entrepreneurial education activity impacts entrepreneurial intention and behaviour. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100639.
- Darko, L. I. O., Bans-Akutey, A., Ugoh, J. K., Ankomah, H., & Afriyie, E. O. (2022). The role of personality differences in achieving organisational productivity. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 159-173.
- Dewi, W. S., Pradana, M., Sari, D., Nugraha, D. W., & Adiputri, L. C. (2021). The influence of knowledge, social media utilization and motivation on entrepreneurial intention (Case study: Telkom university students). Paper presented at the Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.
- Dhaliwal, A. (2016). Role of entrepreneurship in economic development. International Journal of scientific research and management, 4(6), 4262-4269.
- Dutta, D. K., Gwebu, K. L., & Wang, J. (2015). Personal innovativeness in technology, related knowledge and experience, and entrepreneurial intentions in emerging technology industries: a process of causation or effectuation? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11, 529-555.
- Ebuka, A. A., Emmanuel, D., & Idigo, P. (2023). Artificial Intelligence as a catalyst for the Sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(1), 1-11.
- Enginkaya, E., & Y?lmaz, H. (2014). What drives consumers to interact with brands through social media? A motivation scale development study. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 148, 219-226.
- Gaber, H. R., & Wright, L. T. (2014). Fast-food advertising in social media. A case study on Facebook in Egypt. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 9(1), 52-63.
- Guan, M., & So, J. (2016). Influence of social identity on self-efficacy beliefs through perceived social support: A social identity theory perspective. Communication Studies, 67(5), 588-604.
- Hameed, I. (2011). Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Entrepreneurial Management and Environmental Dynamism on Firm’ s Financial Performance. Journal of Economics and Behavioral studies, 3(2), 101-114.
- Hand, J. (2020). Identity politics of the Alt Right: social identity theory applied.
- Harcup, T. (2014). “News with a kick”: A model of oppositional reporting. Communication, Culture & Critique, 7(4), 559-577.
- Hoda, N., & Fallatah, M. (2022). Social Networking Site Usage, Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Intention: An Empirical Study from Saudi Arabia. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 9(5), 421-429.
- Jagongo, A., & Kinyua, C. (2013). The social media and entrepreneurship growth. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(10), 213-227.
- Kirakosyan, K. (2014). The managerial view of social media usage in banking industry: case study for Romanian banking system. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the International Management Conference, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania.
- Kreiser, P. M., & Davis, J. (2010). Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: The unique impact of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 23(1), 39-51.
- Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction—a review of the psychological literature. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(9), 3528-3552.
- Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. W. (2009). Development and cross–cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship theory and Practice, 33(3), 593-617.
- Mahmod, S. (2022). Demystifying work-related outcomes and life satisfaction of Bangladeshi working women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 4(2), 109-127.
- Mirakyan, A. (2022). SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH: EXPLORING UNDERSTANDING OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDENTS. Paper presented at the EDULEARN22 Proceedings.
- Mitchell, R. K., Busenitz, L., Lant, T., McDougall, P. P., Morse, E. A., & Smith, J. B. (2002). Toward a theory of entrepreneurial cognition: Rethinking the people side of entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship theory and Practice, 27(2), 93-104.
- Momen, M. A., Shahriar, S. H. B., Hassan, M. K., & Sultana, S. (2020). Determinants of using social networking sites toward entrepreneurial success: experience from a developing nation. Emerging Economy Studies, 6(2), 191-200.
- Naab, R., & Bans-Akutey, A. (2021). Assessing the use of e-business strategies by SMEs in Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 2(3), 145-160.
- Nawi, N. B. C., Mamun, A. A., Nasir, N. A. B. M., Shokery, N. M. B. A. H., Raston, N. B. A., & Fazal, S. A. (2017). Acceptance and usage of social media as a platform among student entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 24(2), 375-393.
- Nusraningrum, D., & Endri, E. (2024). Investigating the relationship between web quality, brand image, price, and student satisfaction: Evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 8(2), 1213-1222.
- Obermayer, N., K?vári, E., Leinonen, J., Bak, G., & Valeri, M. (2022). How social media practices shape family business performance: the wine industry case study. European Management Journal, 40(3), 360-371.
- Panayides, P. (2006). Enhancing innovation capability through relationship management and implications for performance. European Journal of Innovation Management, 9(4), 466-483.
- Pradana, P., Pangestu, R., Fitriani, L. A., & Sanjaya, V. F. (2020). Use of Social Media and Consumer Behavior towards Students Lifestyle in Lampung. JURNAL MUTIARA MANAJEMEN, 5(2), 10-20.
- Rauch, A., & Hulsink, W. (2015). Putting entrepreneurship education where the intention to act lies: An investigation into the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial behavior. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 14(2), 187-204.
- Rosenberg, M. (2017). The self-concept: Social product and social force Social psychology (pp. 593-624): Routledge.
- Rui, J., & Stefanone, M. A. (2013). Strategic self-presentation online: A cross-cultural study. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(1), 110-118.
- Samosir, J., Purba, O., Ricardianto, P., Dinda, M., Rafi, S., Sinta, A., . . . Endri, E. (2023). The role of social media marketing and brand equity on e-WOM: Evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 7(2), 609-626.
- Sánchez, J. C. (2013). The impact of an entrepreneurship education program on entrepreneurial competencies and intention. Journal of small business management, 51(3), 447-465.
- Saragih, R., Kumalasari, A. D., Pradana, M., Utami, F. N., & Utami, D. G. (2021). Measuring Entrepreneurial Intention of Female Students in West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, 5(3), 337–344-337–344.
- Seroka-Stolka, O., & Tomski, P. (2014). Internet social media and international entrepreneurial intentions. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the Wei International Academic Conference.
- Shabbir, M. S., Ghazi, M. S., & Mehmood, A. R. (2016). Impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(3), 203-205.
- Shah, I. A., Amjed, S., & Jaboob, S. (2020). The moderating role of entrepreneurship education in shaping entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Economic Structures, 9, 1-15.
- Tajpour, M., & Hosseini, E. (2021). Entrepreneurial intention and the performance of digital startups: The mediating role of social media. Journal of Content, Community & Communication, 13(1), 2-15.
- Young, I. M. (2020). Intersecting Voices: Dilemmas of Gender, Political Philosophy, and Policy.
- Zakso, A., Agung, I., & Amin, A. (2020). The Influence Factors of School Management in Developing Entrepreneurship Literacy in Vocational Education. World, 2(2), 109-122.