Entrepreneurial intentions of real estate students: an ordinal analysis of the predictors

Purpose This study aims to examine the predictors of entrepreneurial intentions of real estate students in an emerging economy where there are significant odds against paid employment owing to the dwindling economic drivers. Design/methodology/approach Primary data was obtained using closed-ended questionnaire served on final-year real estate students in three tertiary institutions in Southwestern Nigeria. Out of a total of 231 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 160 (69.3%) were retrieved and found suitable for analysis. Using ordinal least square regression, the study examined the influence of the independent variables on the respondents' entrepreneurial intention across two models. While the first model was without the moderators of prior entrepreneurial exposure (that is, parental occupation, relationship with a real estate entrepreneur, previous/current engagement in business and attendance at business/entrepreneurial seminars/workshops), the second included all the control variables. Other descriptive and inferential statistical methods were adopted. Findings The findings revealed that personal satisfaction/prestige, support system, university education, age, cumulative grade points and mothers' education were statistically significant predictors, at p < 0.05, across the two models examined. Fathers' education and occupation were only significant in the second model, that is, when controlled for prior entrepreneurial exposure. Also, the influence of faculties and barriers of registration/information were significant at 10% level only in the second model. Finally, the study found no statistically significant differencing across gender, family status, mothers' occupation and relationship with a real estate entrepreneur. Practical implications Entrepreneurship is a significant factor influencing economic growth and increased market competitiveness, an examination of students entrepreneurial intentions appear important, especially in regions where there are low economic opportunities. Originality/value This study is among the first attempts at understanding the predictors of real estate students' entrepreneurial intentions from an emerging market perspective.