English Abstract
Abstract :
Youth entrepreneurial intentions form a considerable contribution to social and economic innovation required to enhance sustainable development at local, national, and global levels. Additionally, the blue economy emerges as a crucial element for structural transformation, offering a pathway for the young entrepreneurs to transition from education to self-employment sustainably. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the youth entrepreneurial intention towards blue ocean economy, which provides a more holistic vision that embraces economic growth, especially in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which seeks to diversify its economy. This study adopts a quantitative research approach by using Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the data, which examine the factors that affect youth intention towards the contributing of entrepreneurial efforts in the sector of blue ocean economy. A sample of two hundred thirty university students from various disciplines at the University of Bahrain were surveyed. Employing random sampling techniques, the study aims to better understand the factors influencing Bahraini youths' entrepreneurial intention. Findings indicate that the business environment, support systems, and social influences from peers and relatives significantly shape entrepreneurial intentions of young Bahrainis. Conversely, factors such as weather conditions, knowledge levels, and personal control over behaviour were found less significant predictors on the entrepreneurial intention of youth in Bahrain's blue ocean economy. In conclusion, this study serves to help the different stakeholders and policymakers formulate appropriate policies to foster the entrepreneurial intention of youth within the blue economy sector. This sector represents a significant and growing segment of Bahrain's economic landscape.
Keywords: Blue Economy; Entrepreneurship; Youth; Entrepreneurial intention; Theory of Planned Behaviour; Bahrain.
