Entrepreneurial Mentoring Synergy: An In-Depth Analysis of Polytechnic and Community College (PolyCC) Lecturers as Mentors to Student Start-Up Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the role of academicians as mentors to student startup entrepreneurs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Although the lecturers at Polytechnic and Community College (PolyCC) may not be real entrepreneurs themselves, they have effectively nurtured student entrepreneurs who have sustained their businesses to this day. Nevertheless, this success rate is quite modest when compared to the total number of mentors that have been appointed. Hence, the objective of this study is to comprehend the methods by which non-entrepreneurial academics effectively fulfill their responsibilities as mentors, as well as the aspects that impact their efficacy in mentoring students toward entrepreneurship. The research design employed in this study is qualitative and utilizes a semi-structured interview instrument. The instrument's validity has been confirmed by four experts, and it exhibits a Cohen's Kappa value of 1.0. The sampling method employed is purposive sampling, specifically targeting lecturers from PolyCC who have been selected as 15 finalists in the category of Best Entrepreneurship Mentor Award for the Ministry of Higher Education Entrepreneurship Award (MEA) 2021. These lecturers also serve as mentors to student startup entrepreneurs at PolyCC, and the student entrepreneurs have successfully sustained their businesses up to the present time. The data obtained from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 9 to discern patterns, trends, and interrelationships among the data pieces. The research yielded a theme and competency framework model with an inter-rater reliability, as measured by Cohen's Kappa value, of 0.99. The research yielded an "Entrepreneurship Mentoring Synergy Diagram (EMSD)," a visual representation that illustrates the connection and interplay among the components of entrepreneurial mentoring. The features encompass mentors (lecturers), and mentees (students), as well as the notion of relationships and interactions with external entities (business networks) and strategic planning to foster business growth. This graphic is anticipated to be beneficial for HEI lecturers who are designated as entrepreneurial mentors. It is intended to serve as a guide for them in their endeavors to enhance the proportion of entrepreneurs among HEI students.