THE IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS, MODERATED BY FAMILY SUPPORT

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has emerged as a significant source of regional development, particularly in rural economies where income generation, job creation, and innovation are vital for long-term sustainability. In the Sri Lankan context, especially in communities with limited resources like Point-Pedro, they often face multiple constraints such as insufficient entrepreneurial education, limited access to capital, and minimal institutional and familial support. Despite growing awareness, actual entrepreneurial success among rural youth remains low. Existing literature has investigated the roles of intention and motivation in entrepreneurship, but the impact of family support as a moderating element is under-researched. This study aims to examine the impact of entrepreneurial success while investigating how family support moderates these relationships. A quantitative research design was adopted, with a structured questionnaire carried out in both printed and digital forms in English and Tamil. The study used proportional stratified random sampling to select 265 participants from 850 registered entrepreneurs in the Point-Pedro Divisional Secretariat, representing 29 business categories. Though data analysis is yet to be completed, the predicted results suggest that entrepreneurial intentions, shaped by self-efficacy and risk-taking propensity, and motivational factors like personal fulfillment and opportunity recognition positively influence entrepreneurial success. Additionally, family support is expected to significantly moderate these relationships by providing emotional, financial, and operational support. These findings are anticipated to align with prior studies and hold significant implications for entrepreneurship development in rural Sri Lanka. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, NGOs, and educational institutions to design family-inclusive entrepreneurial training and support mechanisms, thereby enhancing regional economic development and sustainable livelihoods.