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Original Research
The impact of personal attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control on entrepreneurial intention among unemployed youth in a South African township
Submitted: 03 April 2025 | Published: 13 February 2026
About the author(s)
Obrain Tinashe Murire, Department of Networking and Information Technology Support, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South AfricaSandra Makwembere, Department of Human Resource, Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth, South Africa
Xabiso Ngabase, Department of Human Resource, Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth, South Africa
Thobeka Ncanywa, Department of Education, Faculty of Education, Walter Sisulu University, Queenstown, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Youth unemployment continues to pose a serious socio-economic challenge in South Africa, especially within township areas. Promoting entrepreneurship has emerged as a key strategy to enhance economic participation and self-employment opportunities among the youth.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which personal attitudes (PA), social influence (subjective norms [SN]) and perceived behavioural control (PBC) shape entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among unemployed young people.
Setting: The study was conducted in Mdantsane Township, located in the Eastern Cape province.
Method: The study employed a cross-sectional quantitative research approach, involving a purposive sample of 248 unemployed youth. Data were gathered using a structured and validated questionnaire informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The results were analysed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM).
Results: The results show that PA (β = 0.388, p = 0.023) and PBC (β = 0.364, p = 0.004) significantly predicted EI, indicating that positive perceptions and confidence in one’s ability are strong drivers of intention. However, SN (β = 0.258, p = 0.103) did not have a significant effect, suggesting that social pressure plays a limited role in shaping EI in this context.
Conclusion: Personal attitude and PBC significantly influence intention. Entrepreneurship programmes should therefore focus on enhancing youth self-efficacy and control perceptions while addressing structural barriers that limit agency.
Contribution: The TPB framework effectively explains EIs among unemployed youth in Mdantsane Township.
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