Impact of social environment indicators on students' propensity to do business: Case study from Central European countries

Abstract

The aim of the article is to identify and quantify the impact of selected social environment indicators on students’ propensity to do business. A survey-based questionnaire was conducted with students in the last year of their economic studies at 25 universities. The database contains 1,352 filled-out questionnaires showing Slovak, Czech and Polish students’ attitudes. A linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the formulated hypotheses. This approach was implemented separately for each country (Czech Republic-CR, Slovakia – SR, and Poland – PL). The results showed several findings. The comparison of social environment indicators’ impact on students’ propensity to do business confirmed common attitudes (significant indicator – support of family environment; not significant indicator – media) of students based on their nationality. The businessperson in a student´s family is the most important social environment indicator according to students’ attitudes for each country. The fact that society generally appreciates business people has a positive impact on Czech and Slovak students´ propensity to do business. Politicians and public perception of entrepreneurs as a social indicator has a negative impact on Czech students´ propensity to do business. The results are important for national and non-profit organizations that help young people to start a business. © Foundation of International Studies, 2021 © CSR, 2021.