Relationship between prior entrepreneurship exposure and entrepreneurial intention among secondary school learners in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of prior entrepreneurship exposure on entrepreneurial intention and its antecedents. Data were collected from 349 secondary school learners in Mamelodi, Gauteng province of South Africa using a cross-sectional survey. Data were analysed using SPSS by means of regression analysis and descriptive statistics. The results revealed that prior entrepreneurship exposure in the form of current business ownership, entrepreneurial role models in the family, among friends, and knowing other entrepreneurs have no significant effect on entrepreneurial intention and its antecedents. Prior start-up experience, knowledge of successful entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurship education had a significant positive relationship with entrepreneurial intention. Prior start-up experience and knowledge of successful entrepreneurs were positively related to attitude towards entrepreneurship and subjective norms. Knowledge of successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship education had a significant positive relationship with perceived behavioural control. Additionally, a significant positive relationship was found between entrepreneurship education and subjective norms.