The relationship between cultural values and entrepreneurial intentions of agriculture students: A cross cultural analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms through which cultural values are associated with entrepreneurial motivations and intentions in in two Persian-speaking countries, namely, Iran and Afghanistan. To do so, two cultural values, namely independent and interdependent self-construal, were integrated into the theory of planned behavior. Data were collected using a questionnaire from a sample of 452 agricultural students who were selected from the two public universities in the two countries. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the independent and interdependent self-construal were indirectly related to entrepreneurial intentions via attitude towards entrepreneurship and perceived behavioral control. The results also showed that there was not a significant difference between the two countries according to the relationship between the cultural values and the motivational variables of the theory of planned behavior (i.e., attitudes toward entrepreneurship, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control) and the relationship between the motivational variables and entrepreneurial intentions. The present results and their implications can help both policy makers and educators develop effective strategies for promoting entrepreneurship.