Shapero And Sokol's Intention Model

1.2 Intention models

1.2.1 Theory of entrepreneurial event

Shapero and Sokol (1982) propose an intention model, namely the theory of entrepreneurial event. This model considers entrepreneurial behavior as a result of various complementing factors, which influence the individual’s perceptions. The focus is on life path changes that have an impact on perceptions of desirability and perceptions of feasibility associated with new firm formation. Critical life changes, displacement, cause a change in entrepreneurial intention and subsequent behavior. Displacement can occur in a positive (financial support) or negative form (job loss). The intention of becoming an entrepreneur depends on the perceived desirability, feasibility and propensity to act.

According to his theory, the intention of becoming an entrepreneur specifies the effort one will make to perform entrepreneurial behavior. In other words, there is a close relationship exists between the intention of carrying out a specific behavior and its performance. Here, intention is the basic element in explaining behavior. It illustrates the effort one has towards carrying out that behavior and thus ‘captures the motivational factors that influence behaviors’ (Liñán, 2004). The theory proposes three antecedents of intention: attitude, subjective norm and degree of perceived behavioral control (Ajzen, 1991, Liñán, 2004). Attitude relates to the satisfactory consideration of that behavior. In other words, it is defined as ‘the degree to which the individual holds a positive or negative personal valuation about being an entrepreneur’ (Ajzen, 1991). This attitude is formed by experiences through one’s life. Next, social norm refers to perceived social control to carry out that behavior, also understood as social pressure to undertake entrepreneurship. The individual is influenced by important social connections, such as peers, family, and networks. The third variable, perceived behavioral control can be defined as the ease or difficulty of the behavior of interest as seen by the individual. In turn, this can be associated with self-efficacy, a concept that individuals do not only learn by doing itself, but also from others. The stronger the efficacy towards starting a new firm, the more likely one will engage in starting up a new venture (Chen, Green and Crick, 1998). When comparing both models, this concept is similar to perceived feasibility, one of the elements of Shapero and Sokol’s model. Further, perceived desirability can be related to Ajzen’s attitude variable. The main difference between the models is captured by the propensity to act, which is replaced