THE EFFECT OF HIGH IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES (HIEEPS) ON ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-EMPLOYMENT AMONG BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study is carried out to examine the effects of High Impact Entrepreneurship Educational Practices (HIEEPs) namely Entrepreneurship Internship Program, Business Incubation Program and Entrepreneurial Supportive Environment on Entrepreneurial Self-Employment among business school students from three public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) located in Northern region of Malaysia.
 Methodology: Quantitative research design was employed to conduct this study. This includes the use of a survey method to collect data among business school students from three public HEIs located in the Northern region of Malaysia. Data from 332 usable questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and PLS version 3.2.8.
 Main Findings: The most important findings were as follows: HIEEPs namely Entrepreneurship Internship Program, Business Incubation Program, and Entrepreneurial Supportive Environment have a significant impact on the Entrepreneurial Self-Employment among business school students. Among these, the Business Incubation Program found to be the strongest predictor of Entrepreneurial Self-Employment.
 Applications of this study: This study will benefit the HEIs, Ministry of Higher Education, and policymakers to understand the impact of HIEEPs in producing future entrepreneurs among business school graduates and provide critical insights for redesigning the national entrepreneurship education framework. Students and parents also will be guided in choosing the right business schools that embeds HIEEPs. Finally, the country will be able to address the graduate unemployability issue by producing more job creators instead of job seekers.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The establishment of the HIEEPs framework will the novelty of this study hence HEIs should consider providing Entrepreneurship Internship Program, Business Incubation Program, and Entrepreneurial Supportive Environment as part of HIEEPs to produce future entrepreneurs.