Determinants of entrepreneurial intention among managers in the Moroccan fishing industry

Abstract

This study analyzes the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among managers in the Moroccan fishing industry, a sectoral context that remains underexplored in entrepreneurship research. The study aims to fill this gap by jointly examining the influence of individual, organizational, and environmental factors on entrepreneurial intention within a strategic sector of the Moroccan economy. A quantitative approach was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 managers working in the Moroccan fishing industry through a five-point Likert scale. The reliability of the measurement scales was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients (α > 0.70), while construct validity was verified through exploratory factor analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression with SPSS software. The findings reveal a high level of entrepreneurial intention (M = 3.88; SD = 0.72). Motivation appears as the strongest predictor (β = 0.41; p < 0.001), followed by professional experience (β = 0.28; p = 0.001) and autonomy (β = 0.25; p < 0.001). Environmental factors, particularly access to financing (β = 0.21; p = 0.003), also exert a significant influence. The overall model demonstrates satisfactory explanatory power (R² = 0.64). This research contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by providing empirical evidence from a specific sectoral context and highlights the importance of strengthening entrepreneurial support mechanisms within the Moroccan fishing industry.

JEL Classification: L26, M13, J24, Q22, O55.

Paper type: Empirical Research.