Does Social Media Site Use by Undergraduate Students of Nigerian Universities Influence Pre-start-up and Start-up Activities? A Focus on COVID-19 Perception

Abstract

One of the factors that can influence an individual to start a new business is the perception of danger and uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 protocols have left so many people with diverse perceptions of danger and uncertainties. In addition, the pandemic brought about an unprecedented increase in the use of social media sites. Therefore, this study investigates if Nigerian undergraduate students’ COVID-19 perception and social media site use influences them to engage in pre-start-up and start-up activities. The adopted study design is qualitative method that is based on Focus Group Interview (FGI). The study data were collected from final year students in 10 public Universities in South Eastern Nigeria. It was found from the thematic content analysis that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 rules, the undergraduate students were involved in pre-start-up and start-up activities owing to their positive perceptions of the COVID-19 rules and the use of social media sites. However, their start-up activities are constrained by lack of business capital. The researchers recommend the establishment of entrepreneurship development fund for undergraduate students. Qualitative and/or quantitative methods should be adopted to replicate this study in similar or different higher institutions in other parts of the world.