Entrepreneurship programmes' effectiveness in fostering entrepreneurship. A South African university of technology inquiry

Abstract

Entrepreneurship programmes are supposedly designed to encourage and support individuals in starting and growing new businesses. However, whether these programs effectively promote entrepreneurial intent among participants is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship programs in fostering actual entrepreneurial intention, practice, and outcomes. This study used qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect data from university students in the third and fourth years of an entrepreneurial programme. One hundred thirty-six out of one hundred and seventeen-three students in both groups participated, with 126 students taking the quantitative survey and 10 students engaging in the interviews. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software, while the qualitative data was categorised according to themes. In as much as the participants and respondents acknowledge the usefulness of the skills acquired, they did not believe that entrepreneurship education on its own would positively influence their intentions to start a business, let alone make it a career. This research provides insight into entrepreneurship programs' efficacy and informs future efforts to promote entrepreneurship