Abstract:
This study investigated the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention among
nomadic cattle farmers in Mannar district, Sri Lanka. By employing an extended
version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which posits that behavioral
intention is influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral
control, the study included demographic factors, external environmental influences,
and psychological well-being to provide a comprehensive analysis. A research
problem highlighting the challenges faced by this community was included to clarify
the aim of the study. Using a stratified random sampling method, survey data were
collected from 162 nomadic cattle farmers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was
employed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 26.0 to validate the proposed model, yielding
acceptable model fit indices (CMIN/DF=1.885, RMSEA=0.074, CFI=0.918), which
support the robustness of the model. Hypothesis testing revealed that external
environmental factors and demographic factors significantly contributed to
entrepreneurial intention (p=0.004), while psychological well-being emerged as a
critical mediating influence (p=0.004), emphasizing the role of resilience in shaping
entrepreneurial intention. The findings emphasized that TPB constructs, such as
attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, do not significantly
influence entrepreneurial intention among nomadic cattle farmers in the Mannar
district. Instead, entrepreneurial intention is largely shaped by external environmental
factors, demographic characteristics, and psychological well-being. By expanding the
TPB framework, this research advances the academic understanding of rural
entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the study offers actionable insights for policymakers
aiming to foster economic resilience and entrepreneurial capacity among nomadic
cattle farmers in conflict-affected regions. Although the study’s geographic focus on
Mannar district presents limitations for broad generalizations, it provides critical
evidence to support the development of strategies for entrepreneurial growth and
resilience among these communities.
