INDIVIDUAL AND ECOSYSTEM DRIVERS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION: EVIDENCE FROM THAILAND

Abstract

This study examines the individual-level and ecosystem-level drivers of entrepreneurial intention in Thailand. Using data from a national survey of 400 Thai adults, this research investigates how five individual-level factors risk propensity, opportunity recognition, innovation attitude, entrepreneurial knowledge, and motivation affect the Entrepreneurial Spirit Index (ESI) and whether entrepreneurial intention differs across ecosystem conditions. Regression results from the non-entrepreneur subsample (n = 200) reveal that entrepreneurial knowledge exerts the strongest positive effect on ESI (β = 0.592, p < 0.001), followed by motivation (β = 0.483, p < 0.001), innovation attitude (β = 0.407, p < 0.001), risk propensity (β = 0.369, p < 0.001), and opportunity recognition (β = 0.357, p < 0.001). One-way ANOVA results indicate significant differences in entrepreneurial intention across levels of the entrepreneurial support environment, economic pressure, social and family support, and access to technological resources. The findings emphasize the complementary roles of individual attributes and ecosystem conditions in shaping entrepreneurial intention in an emerging economy.