Correlates of Entrepreneurial Intention: Implications for Poverty Alleviation Programs

Eyisi I. Meek

Abstract: This study investigated the correlates of entrepreneurial intention among youths and adolescents in Makurdi metropolis, Benue state Nigeria. The independent variables in this study included learned helplessness, self-concept clarity, and ambiguity tolerance. Data were collected with the aid of appropriate standardized questionnaires from 860 participants who were selected through a stratified sampling technique in Makurdi metropolis, Benue state Nigeria. The results of the analysis showed that learned helplessness, self-concept clarity and ambiguity tolerance have significant influences on entrepreneurial intention, with learned helplessness showing a significant negative relationship with entrepreneurial intention, while self-concept clarity and ambiguity tolerance showed significant positive relationships with entrepreneurial intention. These findings have great implications for entrepreneurship programs and other forms of poverty alleviation programs. Consequently, the discussion of findings, implications and recommendations were thus presented in this paper.

Keywords: Learned Helplessness, Self-Concept Clarity, Ambiguity Tolerance, & Entrepreneurial Intention