University students’ entrepreneurial tendency in China

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the impact mechanism of Chinese university students’ perceived entrepreneurial environment on their entrepreneurial tendency in the context of Chinese economic transition. In particular, the paper provides a reference for relevant departments to make policies and entrepreneurship educators to perfect the pedagogical design and curriculum development in entrepreneurship education programs. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used questionnaires to collect data in Chinese universities via random sampling, and gained 729 valid questionnaires. Results from principal component analysis indicate that the scales have a good reliability. In particular, entrepreneurial attitude had three components. The hypotheses are tested by using Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression; the level of statistical significance of F-test was less than 0.05. Hence, multiple linear regression can be used in the analyses. Findings – The study found that university students’ perceived social environment and economic environment have a positive influence on their entrepreneurial tendency, and entrepreneurial attitude is partially playing a mediating role between students’ perceived entrepreneurial environment and entrepreneurial tendency. However, students’ perceived policy environment has no significant impact on entrepreneurial tendency. Originality/value – Environmental factors are often viewed as“gap fillers” in related studies, and mostly concentrated in the Western developed countries. This study attempts to fill the gaps in the context of Chinese economic transition.

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“…China has formulated a number of entrepreneurial policies on tax incentives, low interest rates, etc., encouraging student entrepreneurship. Obviously, the current environment in China is suitable for student entrepreneurship (Yao, Wu & Long, 2016). Generally, entrepreneurial education at universities can inform and motivate students, and therefore indirectly increase their willingness to consider entrepreneurship a career path (Lange et al, 2011).…”

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“…thus encouraging student entrepreneurship. It is obvious that the current environment in China is suitable for student entrepreneurship (Yao, Wu & Long, 2016). In general, entrepreneurship education at the universities can inform and motivate students, and therefore increase their willingness to consider entrepreneurship as a career path (Lange, Marr, Jawahar, Yong & Bygrave, 2011).…”