Individual entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial intention. Comparative research on Polish and Bulgarian students

Purpose: The aim of the study was to measure and understand the relationship between Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation (IEO) and Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) among students from Poland and Bulgaria within the country context. Design/methodology/approach: The respondents were 1,199 students, including 681 students from Bulgaria and 518 students from Poland. The respondents were selected randomly. The research was conducted online using a CAWI method. The existing tools for measuring constructs, i.e. IEO and EI, in the subject-matter literature were used. The questionnaire developed by Bolton and Lane (2012) relying on Covin and Slevin’s (1986) conceptualisation was used to diagnose the level of students’ IEO. EI was measured using a single-item measure developed by Liñán and Chen (2009). Findings: The empirical results show relationships and a positive impact of individual entrepreneurial orientation dimensions upon entrepreneurial intentions. In both countries, there is a statistically significant relationship between entrepreneurial intention and risk-taking, innovativeness, and proactivity. Countries determine the strength of such a correlation, but these relationships, although statistically significant, have been defined as weak. Research limitations/implications: The results cannot be generalised to the entire population, but they are a good contribution to further research on the antecedence of IEO and EI and the differences based on such variables as gender, age, level of education, or field of study. Practical Implications: The results can be used for further research on the factors influencing entrepreneurial attitudes and motivations. They can also be used for entrepreneurial education at universities by supporting the evaluation of the strength of orientation and intentions of students towards entrepreneurship and transferring good practice among countries. Originality/value: This study focuses on young adult respondents from two countries who are able to provide new references to factors which may encourage or hamper their interest in becoming entrepreneurs.