The importance of HEI managerial practices in teachers’ competence in implementing entrepreneurship education: Evidence from Finland

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are considered a source of educated, skilled and motivated entrepreneurs. Despite the growing literature on entrepreneurship education, there is an ongoing debate on how entrepreneurship can be taught and the role of different policies in promoting entrepreneurship education. No consistent understanding of the role of HEIs or teachers' own entrepreneurial competence in entrepreneurship education has been formed. This study examines the effect of perceived managerial practices of HEIs on teachers' entrepreneurial competence and practices in entrepreneurship education. These managerial practices include, for example, top management support for promoting entrepreneurship. Data for this research was gathered from 871 higher education teachers in Finland. The results show that the managerial practices of HEIs make a difference. They directly influence teachers' affective and conative components of entrepreneurial competence. When the strategy, curricula, quality management systems, incentive pay systems, CRM systems and management of HEIs support and encourage the promotion of entrepreneurship in teachers' work, it positively affects teachers' attitudes towards entrepreneurship education. This study verifies the importance of HEI management's role in boosting entrepreneurship education and supporting the competence of teachers.