Not born here-evaluation of the country of origin effect on the entrepreneurial intentions of Israeli engineering students

This paper examines the level of interest in entrepreneurship among college undergraduate students from different ethnic backgrounds in Israel based on a survey conducted in 2009. The results show significant differences of the intensity of entrepreneurial intentions between immigrants (from former Soviet Union) and Israeli born students. Moreover, differences were found in entrepreneurial intentions, networking patterns and funding perceptions of Israeli born students from different ethnic backgrounds. Findings of this study will have comprehensive policy implications in inducing more university graduates to start their own business and thus to spur social mobility and development of immigrants in Israel and worldwide.