The relationship between self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency: Comparison of Turkish and foreign students

The aim of this research is to determine the effect of self-efficacy on entrepreneurial tendency. In the research model that is developed in the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior, self-efficacy is considered as independent variable, and entrepreneurial tendency as a dependent variable. In addition, the relationship between the individual and environmental characteristics of students and their entrepreneurial tendency was investigated. The comparison on self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency between students studying in Turkey with Turkish citizenship and foreign students is the original part of the research. While the population of the research is composed of students studying in Turkey, the sample is composed of 410 students including 239 students with Turkish citizenship and 171 foreign students from 72 universities in Turkey. The data of the research were obtained by applying the survey method in November-December 2020. As a result of the research, it was found that self-efficacy has a significant and positive effect on students' entrepreneurial tendency. In the research findings, there was no significant difference regarding the self-efficacy of male and female students, it was determined that male students 'entrepreneurial tendency was higher than female students' entrepreneurial tendency. It was not found any significant difference in the relationship between students' education level and age group with students' self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency. Additionally, it was determined that students who had received entrepreneurial education at university have higher self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency compared to students who had not received entrepreneurial education. Besides, it was found that the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency of the students with entrepreneurial members in their families are higher than the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial tendency of the students who do not have an entrepreneur in their families. While there was no significant difference regarding the self-efficacy of the students in the field of study, it was determined that the entrepreneurial tendency of the students studying in the field of social sciences was higher than the students studying in the field of science and literature. At the end of the research, suggestions for future researchers were made and information about the limitations of the study was presented.