Attitudes of Sports Development and Sports Management undergraduate students towards entrepreneurship

Abstract

Purpose – Given the high unemployment rates being experienced by graduates, the importance of small business start-up has increased significantly, with greater priority being placed upon the development of entrepreneurial skills across the educational sector. However, there is a limited literature considering the student experience and issues involved with supporting non-Business discipline students attaining entrepreneurial competencies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes and experience of Sports Development and Sports Management students towards entrepreneurship education, highlighting best practice from a pedagogical perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Over 120 Sports Development and Sports Management students on an undergraduate degree were interviewed over a two year period using a semi-structured research instrument. The focus and content of the questionnaire was developed from prior studies undertaken in the field, measuring the impact and value of entrepreneurship education upon attitudes, knowledge and career choice. Findings – The results found that Sports Development and Sports Management students were typically enterprising by nature due to their prior experience in coaching and training within their respective sports disciplines. The majority of students indicated that they were attracted to a future entrepreneurial career in a sports-related discipline. This was driven by the potential of an entrepreneurial career option and the limited alternative choices. Sports Development and Sports Management students were characterised by their mature attitudes towards their career development and future inclination regarding an entrepreneurial career choice. Practical implications – The results will inform the teaching of entrepreneurship education to non-Business discipline specialist students in terms of the effective construction of entrepreneurship curriculum. Best practice in terms of customised subject informed teaching material, guest talks and interactive pedagogical practice are highlighted. Originality/value – This study will be of interest to entrepreneurship education providers delivering content to non-Business disciplines at all levels and aid them in the construction of their curriculum to provide fit for purpose provision.

The Relationship between Attitude, Intention, and Entrepreneurship Career Choice among Malaysian Indian Undergraduates

“…This is supported by Hirschi and Fischer (2013) and Mohammad et al (2012) which stated that intention as an essential element in motivating an individual to become an entrepreneur (Table 5). Therefore, this situation can be explained and reinforced through the findings of studies by Nandram and Samson (2006), Ertuna andGurel (2011), Jones andJones (2014). They stated that a positive attitude towards an entrepreneurship career choice is formed through entrepreneurship education, formally or informally.…”

“…Studies conducted by Jones and Jones (2014), suggested that an attitude of entrepreneurial motivation can increase the efficiency to exploit new market opportunities and improve value for money. In addition, originality of innovations can motivate an entrepreneur to be successful.…”

“…Linan et al (2011) and Zahariah et al (2010) mentioned that attitude is an important element to determine the intention towards entrepreneurship in a person. Jones and Jones (2014), Ertuna andGurel (2011), Nandram andSamson (2006) also mentioned that attitude and intention towards entrepreneurship have a significant relationship and play important roles in determining the level of choosing entrepreneurship as a career.…”

“…Zaidatol (2007) stated that a high level of intention is required to induce an individual's decision to become an entrepreneur. Ertuna and Gurel (2011) and Jones and Jones (2014) proved that the level of entrepreneurship intention does not directly affect the selecting or making up of the entrepreneurial ventures because it is much influenced by other factors which are mostly composed of demographic factors. Therefore, the level of intention just acts as a catalyst or an intermediary in predicting an individual's actions in determining the choice for entrepreneurship.…”

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“…However, in spite of the increase of studies related to the intentions of university students, studies with students of nonbusiness disciplines have been scarce (Jones & Jones, 2014), and even more Sport Sciences'(SS) studies in our country (González-Serrano, Crespo, Pérez-Campos, & Calabuig, 2017). This is particularly worrying because, according to Ratten and Ferreira (2017), the trends in the sports industry reflect a growing need to be enterprising in products, services, technologies and market development.…”