Entrepreneurship perceptions and career intentions of international students

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the differences between African and European students with regard to their entrepreneurial intentions, attitudes towards entrepreneurship, role models and entrepreneurial experience. It also aims to set the scene for future comparative research between developing and developed countries in the area of graduate entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative empirical research design was applied, using self‐administered questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to first‐year business students at universities in three African countries that are either developing (Uganda and Kenya) or emerging (South Africa) and four European developed nations (Finland, Germany, Ireland, and Portugal).FindingsThe results indicate that students from developing/emerging economies are more likely to envisage future careers as entrepreneurs and are more positive towards entrepreneurship than their industrialised European counterparts, even though motivators for employment/self‐employment are similar across the samples. The type of role models used and the extent of entrepreneurial experience varied between individual countries.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include the use of a convenience sample and its restriction on the use of statistics, a single data collection point and a sample across seven countries on two continents.Practical implicationsThe results lead to universal and country‐specific recommendations relating to the improvement of student‐oriented entrepreneurship activities within universities.Originality/valueThe paper extends research on graduate entrepreneurship by providing an international comparison of entrepreneurship intentions, attitudes and experiences between developing/emerging and developed nations, leading to suggestions on how to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and assist new‐venture creations for students.

The effect of curricular and extracurricular activities on university students’ entrepreneurial intention and competences

“…(Krueger et al, 2000; Autio et al, 2001; Kirby, 2005; Liñan and Chen, 2009;Nabi et al, 2006;Nabi and Holden, 2008;Fayolle et al, 2006; Cranmer, 2006: Pittaway andCope, 2007; Buckland, 2009;De Silva, 2015). Taking into account the importance of entrepreneurship in the economy (Acs and Szerb, 2007), universities devote considerable effort to developing both curricular and extracurricular activities to encourage entrepreneurial intention in their students (Fayolle et al, 2006;Shinnar et al, 2009;Souitaris et al, 2007;Wilson et al, 2007;Davey et al, 2010;Ertuna and Gurel, 2011;Thomas et al, 2014).…”

“…(Krueger et al, 2000; Autio et al, 2001; Kirby, 2005; Liñan and Chen, 2009;Nabi et al, 2006;Nabi and Holden, 2008;Fayolle et al, 2006; Cranmer, 2006: Pittaway andCope, 2007; Buckland, 2009;De Silva, 2015). Taking into account the importance of entrepreneurship in the economy (Acs and Szerb, 2007), universities devote considerable effort to developing both curricular and extracurricular activities to encourage entrepreneurial intention in their students (Fayolle et al, 2006;Shinnar et al, 2009;Souitaris et al, 2007;Wilson et al, 2007;Davey et al, 2010;Ertuna and Gurel, 2011;Thomas et al, 2014).In recent years, academicians have developed a growing interest in the effectiveness of those efforts on entrepreneurship initiative (Kirby, 2005;Fayolle et al, 2006;Shinnar et al, 2009; Souitaris et al, 2009; Markman et al, 2002; Boissin et al, 2009a, b). The results of such research have produced numerous studies on education in entrepreneurship (Alexei and Kolvereid, 1999;Karanja et al, 2012;Shinnar et al, 2009; Soutaris et al, 2007; Liñan and Chen, 2009;Venciana et al, 2005;Peterman and Kennedy, 2003), but these tend to be limited and contradictory (Collins et al, 2004;Guerrero et al, 2008;Gurel et al, 2010;Thompson et al, 2010;Wu and Wu, 2008).…”

Finnish young people 's attitudes towards and perceptions of entrepreneurship - an evaluation of the impact of youth entrepreneurship theme year

“…Comparative studies have shown that there are significant national differences in entrepreneurship perception [e.g. Davey, Plewa, and Struwig 2011]. So the results cannot be generalized.…”

“…Some studies have also examined attitudes towards entrepreneurship as a part of an analysis of entrepreneurship perceptions [e.g. Davey, Plewa, and Struwig 2011).…”

Factors That Influence the Entrepreneurial Intention of Nigerian Postgraduates: Preliminary Analysis and Data Screening

“…Entrepreneurship therefore, has a significant status in the fast changing global socioeconomic environment (Ali, Topping, & Tariq, 2010). The interest of policy makers in entrepreneurial development is growing (Davey, Plewa, & Struwig, 2011;Karabulut, 2014;Owoseni, 2014). Government and other institution's efforts are evidence for that (Karabulut, 2014).…”