An examination of entrepreneurship educator profiles in business programs in the United States

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the profiles of faculty teaching entrepreneurship courses in a sample of entrepreneurship programs in the USA for the years 2007‐2008.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed and mailed to entrepreneurship programs directors to provide information for answering questions concerning the following: educational backgrounds, primary teaching focus, research interests, publications in academic journals, and entrepreneurial experience brought into the classroom.

Findings

The results of the study demonstrate that only one‐fifth of the faculty members in the sample held a PhD in entrepreneurship or in combination with another field in a business discipline. Three out of four faculty members concentrated their teaching in the field of entrepreneurship. More than one‐third of the faculty members had a research interest in the field of entrepreneurship. One‐fourth of faculty sampled had published in entrepreneurship journals. The majority of the faculty brought entrepreneurial experience to their classrooms.

Research limitations/implications

The fact that the study depended exclusively on the data available from 218 “non‐ranked” entrepreneurship programs in the USA represents a distinct limitation. Future research is needed to compare study results with a sample incorporating top ranked entrepreneurship programs in the country.

Originality/value

This study will assist administrators and institutions in preparing new faculty to embrace the field of entrepreneurship education.

Citation

Kabongo, J.D. and McCaskey, P.H. (2011), "An examination of entrepreneurship educator profiles in business programs in the United States", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 27-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626001111106415