Psychological Characteristics and Social Entrepreneurial Intentions: A study among Accounting Education Students in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of individual psychological characteristics (locus of control, propensity to take risk, self-confidence, need for achievement, tolerance of ambiguity, and innovation) on social entrepreneurial intentions with gender control variables of Accounting Education students throughout Indonesia. The theory used is Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The population is 12.503 therefore, measurement sample used amounted to 372 who were Accounting Education students throughout Indonesia. Data collection with a questionnaire. Data analysis techniques using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Smart PLS 3 because, Smart PLS 3 can to measure the little population. The results showed that locus of control, self confidence, need for achievement, and innovation have a positive and significant influence on social entrepreneurial intentions, while propensity to take risk and tolerance of ambiguity do not. On the other hand, it was found that there is no significant difference in social entrepreneurial intention from the aspect of gender. It is recommended that the educational curriculum, especially in Accounting, integrate aspects of individual psychological characteristics into learning programs to increase student interest in social entrepreneurship.