The Relationship between Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions of College Students in China: Focus on Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education (EE) plays a significant role on improving the entrepreneurial intention and willingness of youth and future entrepreneurs. This study aims to identify the effects of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial intention of students in higher education institutions in China. A structural equation is used to analyze data collected from 406 Chinese students from business and management majors across 5 universities. Entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and self-efficacy were introduced as the mediating variable in this model. Results showed that 1) EE has a positive effect on the entrepreneurial intentions of the students, 2) partly mediating effects of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and mediating effect of self-efficacy were found between Entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial intentions (EI). The findings suggest that educational institutions should place a greater emphasis on entrepreneurship education and the recognition of business opportunities in order to promote entrepreneurial intent among students. Although a longitudinal study may be necessary to understand the long-term effect of entrepreneurship education, through empirical evidence this study demonstrates that the perception of entrepreneurship education among Chinese college students significantly influences entrepreneurial self-efficacy and indirectly influences entrepreneurial intention.