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Role of engineering major in entrepreneurial intentions of engineering students: a case of Pakistan

Muhammad Zubair Alam (Department of Management Science, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan)
Ahmad Raza Bilal (Sohar University, Sohar, Oman)
Saba Sabir (School of Management Studies, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan)
Muhammad Ali Kaleem (National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan)

Education + Training

ISSN: 0040-0912

Article publication date: 3 April 2020

Issue publication date: 17 November 2020

351

Abstract

Purpose

The dynamic global environment has increased the requirement of multidisciplinary entrepreneurial engineers. While studying entrepreneurial aspects of engineers, researchers have not considered inherent variability due to engineering majors. This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial motivation (EM) on entrepreneurial intentions (EIs), to analyse the inherent entrepreneurial potential of engineering majors. The impact of entrepreneurial education has also been studied to proffer recommendations for policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of this study is a survey conducted with 342 undergraduate students from three major engineering institutions in Pakistan using a close-structured questionnaire. Moderation analysis examines the entrepreneurial potential of different engineering majors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been conducted to compare the EIs of different engineering majors and regarding the impact of entrepreneurial education on EIs.

Findings

The engineering major's role in the transformation of EM to EIs is multifaceted. EIs of students of a few engineering majors were found high. Entrepreneurship education improves the overall EIs of engineering students.

Practical implications

Outcomes of the study are useful for academia and policymakers to engage students of particular engineering majors, identified as entrepreneurial, in advanced entrepreneurial education and expose them to potential start-ups to have better value addition in specific sectors.

Originality/value

This is the first study in which engineering majors have been examined to bring insights about inherent entrepreneurial potential. This inherent entrepreneurial potential needs further exploration by academic researchers. The study has provided the base for future studies to institutionalize entrepreneurial education for different engineering majors.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the institutional support extended by Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan in data collection and the engineering students who voluntarily become part of the study (wish to mention the names of those lovely students who fill survey on the condition of treat). Data collection efforts by Dr Nadia Nasir, Dr Shazia Kousar and Ms Tahira Iram from the Department of Management Science, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan are highly appreciated. The authors also extend appreciativeness towards Dr Auon-ul-Hassan from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, Ms Nyla Shafqat from the University of Lahore, Pakistan, Engineer Shoaib Alam from Nishat Textile Mills, Lahore, Pakistan, Dr Imran Rasheed and Dr Ali Ahmed from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan for extending expertise in the undertaking of this study.

Citation

Alam, M.Z., Bilal, A.R., Sabir, S. and Kaleem, M.A. (2020), "Role of engineering major in entrepreneurial intentions of engineering students: a case of Pakistan", Education + Training, Vol. 62 No. 7/8, pp. 965-978. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-06-2019-0134

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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