Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention: Case Study of Business Students in Tianjin, China

Abstract

Entrepreneurial intentions refer to an individual's conscious and planned decision to participate in entrepreneurial activities, reflecting their desire to start a new venture or pursue opportunities. Entrepreneurial behaviors encompass the actions and activities undertaken by individuals to initiate, develop, and manage a business venture, involving aspects such as opportunity recognition, resource acquisition, innovation, risk-taking, and networking. Entrepreneurship education instills confidence and reduces the perceived barriers to entrepreneurship, motivating students to take the necessary steps to turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into tangible ventures. The research utilized the descriptive research design. The target population was 250 business students in Tianjin, China. The study did sampling of 230 respondents that were selected from the target population of 250 business students in Tianjin, China. The collection of data was conducted through stratified random sampling and questionnaires were used to gather data. The study concluded that entrepreneurship education positively affects students' intentions to become entrepreneurs and shapes their entrepreneurial behaviors. The incorporation of practical and experiential learning activities, such as business plan competitions and internships, proves to be particularly effective in enhancing entrepreneurial intentions and providing hands-on experiences for aspiring entrepreneurs. The curriculum that encompasses a wide range of entrepreneurial topics, including opportunity recognition, risk management, and innovation, plays an important role in shaping students' entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge.  It was recommended that educational institutions should continue to prioritize entrepreneurship education and allocate resources to develop comprehensive and practical entrepreneurship programs. Institutions should employ rigorous assessment methods to measure the outcomes and effect of entrepreneurship education on students' intentions and behaviors. Policymakers should recognize the importance of entrepreneurship education and provide support to educational institutions in implementing and enhancing entrepreneurship programs. Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education, Entrepreneurial Intentions and Behaviors, Business Students, China