The Factors Affecting the Entrepreneurial Intention of Sports Science Students Based on the Planned Behavior Theory

Purpose: The most challenging face of sports entrepreneurship is the need to progress at the same pace as the industry (Hay Dock, 2020). In this regard, sports entrepreneurship in Iran has not yet been able to identify the motivations and needs of entrepreneurs. Therefore, the present study seeks to investigate the factors affecting the entrepreneurial intention of sports science students based on the theory of planned behavior. Methodology: This research is applied in purpose and survey type in the data collection method. The statistical population of the present study was sports science students of universities in Yazd province. One hundred twenty students were selected as available in State university, Islamic Azad, Payame Noor, and non-profit universities. The measuring instruments of this study were four standard questionnaires of attitude towards behavior (26 questions), mental norms (6 questions), perceived behavioral control (entrepreneurial self-confidence) (23 questions), and entrepreneurial intention (3 questions), whose validity was confirmed by various researchers. Findings: Findings showed that the dimensions of the theory of planned behavior had a significant relationship with the entrepreneurial intention of sports science students. Also, the regression test results showed that the three dimensions of the theory of planned behavior, including attitudes toward behavior, perceived behavioral control, and mental norms had a significant effect on the entrepreneurial intention of sports students. Also, the results of ranking the dimensions of the theory of planned behavior showed that attitudes toward behavior, perceived behavioral control, and mental norms had the highest priority, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested to pay attention to the dimensions of the planned behavior theory to develop entrepreneurship among sports science students. Originality: The originality of this article is to use the theory of planned behavior in sports entrepreneurship.