Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Intention among Polytechnic Students Involved and Not Involved in Entrepreneurship Education

Norasmah Othman,Nur Sa’Adah Mohd Hisam

doi:10.13189/ujer.2020.081007

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is a field being focused on by all educational institutions, including polytechnic institutions. Various plans and strategies have been designed to encourage the involvement of students in entrepreneurship. Until now, it has been reported that students' participation in entrepreneurship, particularly the polytechnic students, is less than satisfactory. This study aims to identify the entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention levels among polytechnic students who have been actively involved in entrepreneurship education programs, compared with those who have never had any similar involvement. This study randomly distributed survey questionnaire to 317 polytechnic students across Malaysia. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results showed that students who have been involved in entrepreneurship courses have a higher level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy compared to students who have never received entrepreneurship education. However, the level of entrepreneurial intention is high regardless of involvement in entrepreneurship education. Meaning, there is no significant difference in the level of entrepreneurial intention after graduating from a polytechnic institution based on students' involvement in entrepreneurship education. The findings can serve as a guideline for policy makers, curriculum developers, and polytechnic educators to improve existing plans and strategies so that they are more relevant to current needs.

Highlights

The uncertainty in the world’s economy has affected the lifestyle of individual nations
The findings show that the level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy of students who received some form of entrepreneurship education is similar to those who have not
Students who have been involved in entrepreneurship educational courses in polytechnic institutions in Malaysia show a slightly higher level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy compared to students who have never been exposed to entrepreneurial knowledge, especially in the aspects of generating business ideas, business planning, building business networks, and managing human resources

Summary

Introduction

The uncertainty in the world’s economy has affected the lifestyle of individual nations. Job opportunities in Malaysia are plummeting while the number of job seekers is increasing. The country is incapable of guaranteeing jobs for its citizens, and this is occurring all around the world. Competition for positions is extremely fierce, and this requires young people to be more proactive in creating new jobs in order to have better and more secure lives. Various measures and alternatives are being implemented in a wide variety of countries to ensure that their citizens do not always rely on the government for employment. One of the efforts exercised is to encourage youths to venture into the field of entrepreneurship

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Methods

Results

Conclusion