From Classroom to Startup: The Role of Personality Traits, Entrepreneurship Education, and Financial Access in Shaping Entrepreneurial Behaviour among Pakistani Youth

Abstract

Entrepreneurial behaviour among youth plays a crucial role in economic development, innovation, and employment creation in developing economies such as Pakistan. This study examined the impact of personality traits, entrepreneurship education, and financial access on entrepreneurial behaviour among Pakistani youth. A quantitative research design was applied, and data were collected from a sample of 350 university students from public and private institutions. Standardized questionnaires were used to measure personality traits, exposure to entrepreneurship education, perceived financial access, and entrepreneurial behaviour. Statistical techniques including correlation and regression analysis were applied to evaluate relationships among variables. The results indicated that personality traits significantly influenced entrepreneurial behaviour (β = 0.31), entrepreneurship education showed the strongest positive effect (β = 0.39), and financial access also contributed significantly (β = 0.28). The model explained 68% of the variance in entrepreneurial behaviour (R² = 0.68), confirming strong predictive power. The findings highlighted that entrepreneurship development depends on both psychological and structural factors, where education plays a central role in shaping entrepreneurial readiness. The study concluded that strengthening entrepreneurship education, improving financial inclusion, and supporting personality development can significantly enhance youth entrepreneurial outcomes in Pakistan. These findings provide important implications for policymakers, educators, and financial institutions aiming to promote startup culture among students.

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