Drivers of employee entrepreneurial intention: a study of the oil and gas sector in Qatar

Abstract

Many employees are opting to start new businesses while working full-time for established firms. Although employee entrepreneurship has attracted much attention recently, very little is known on what motivates employees with high income and secure employment contracts to form their entrepreneurial intention. Using the integrated behavioural model and expectancy theory, data was collected from 509 employees working for the oil and gas companies in the state of Qatar. Results from a structural equation modelling show that employee entrepreneurial intention is driven by affective attitude and personal agency, which are affected by perceived norms and expectancy. This study provides evidence in support of our framework that combines the integrated behaviour model and expectancy theory to explain employee entrepreneurial intention to start new ventures in the context of high-income economy.