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The development of entrepreneurial potential among higher education students

Elina Varamäki (Business School, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland)
Sanna Joensuu (Business School, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland)
Erno Tornikoski (Grenoble Ecole de Management, Grenoble, France)
Anmari Viljamaa (Business School, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland)

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development

ISSN: 1462-6004

Article publication date: 17 August 2015

2764

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how entrepreneurial potential is developed among young people. Changes in individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions and the antecedents of intentions are investigated, as well as the impact of entrepreneurship education on the changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is applied. Longitudinal data from 197 HE students, in their first and third year of studies, is examined using path analysis.

Findings

Overall the entrepreneurial intentions of HE students decreased over time. Intentions decreased particularly for those with high initial level of intentions, whereas the group with increasing intentions rose from low to neutral level of intentions. Changes in attitudes and perceived behavioral control have a significant positive impact. Versatile entrepreneurship courses have direct effect on changes in attitudes. Changes in attitudes have a dual role, as they influence change in both intentions and perceived behavioral control. The developed model explains 19 percent of the variance among women and 28 percent among men, suggesting gender differences in development of intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Only one way of developing entrepreneurial potential in young people (i.e. education) is covered. The empirical sample is limited to one university.

Practical implications

The results suggest versatile methods of entrepreneurship education are more effective in developing intentions than perhaps purely active modes. Gender differences should be considered when designing interventions to foster entrepreneurial potential.

Originality/value

The research confirms with longitudinal individual-level data the applicability of TPB on entrepreneurial intentions and demonstrates the mediated impact of versatile entrepreneurship courses on changes in intentions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research project has been funded by European Regional Development Fund and the support is gratefully acknowledged.

Citation

Varamäki, E., Joensuu, S., Tornikoski, E. and Viljamaa, A. (2015), "The development of entrepreneurial potential among higher education students", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 563-589. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-02-2012-0027

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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