Predictors of agricultural entrepreneurship among high school graduates

Abstract

The aim of this empirical research was to test the predictive intensity of experience and opinions in agriculture, rural areas, environmental support for farming, and socio-demographic indicators of farmers in predicting the variability of the construct of entrepreneurship in agriculture. The research was conducted on a pertinent sample of 175 graduates of agricultural schools in Valjevo and Šabac (M_age = 18.7, SD = 0.63). Individual Risk Preference Questionnaires (MPL) were applied. The tested predictors of the regression model, with adequate standard errors of the β coefficient, explain 48% of the total variance of the criterion – engaging in entrepreneurship in agriculture. The analysis of standardized regression beta coefficients shows that no predictor variable contributes to engaging in agricultural production, except for the variable “My experience with conducting agricultural activities” (β = 0.70, p ≤ 0.01), which is statistically significant, suggesting that with increasing partial experience in agricultural production, the readiness of adolescents to engage in entrepreneurship in agriculture potentially increases. The obtained results are analyzed in the context of previous studies, but also guidelines for further research and practical implications on entrepreneurship readiness at the personal level. Finally, further longitudinal studies are needed to examine the validity of the psychometric properties of the questionnaires used in Serbian samples.