Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intention and Internationalization of Engineer-Entrepreneur Start-ups

Abstract

While application of entrepreneurship concept is gaining traction in engineering and the entrepreneurship courses embedded in engineering programs increase swiftly, there is a lack of study focusing on how engineering programs enable entrepreneurial experiences in their programmes. The influence of entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on achievement entrepreneurial goals of engineers in Sri Lanka remains understudied and uncertain in many circumstances. This necessitates a thorough examination of the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial orientation and education influences entrepreneurial intention. Further, as per international entrepreneurship theory, entrepreneurial intent leads to internationalization intent when facilitated by conducive environment factors. The objective of research is to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention and internationalization intent of engineer entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Three hypotheses related to above links were tested using a validated questionnaire through a survey of 92 engineer-entrepreneurs. The results show that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention and internationalization intent of engineer entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The variable entrepreneurial intention explained 40% variance of internationalization intention. This research gives valuable inputs and suggestions with respect to entrepreneurship education and promotion of entrepreneurship orientation of engineers in Sri Lanka for policy makers.