University Environment, Entrepreneurial Interest and Entrepreneurial Networking as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Thinking: A Study of Public Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

The objective of this study isto identify the contribution of university environment, entrepreneurial interest,and entrepreneurial networking among student entrepreneurial thinking. This study used a quantitative approach where data were collected via survey using questionnaire. The sample consisted of 2001 students from 20 Public Higher Learning Institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. Multiple regression (stepwise) analyses was used to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that both entrepreneurial interest and university environment contributed significantly towards entrepreneurial thinking among PHEI in Malaysia. Entrepreneurial networking did not showed significant contribution to entrepreneurial thinking. The implications of this study is thatPHEIs need to equip with relevant entrepreneurial environment and entrepreneurial activities or programs that can boost and enrich students of PHEIs with entrepreneurial thinking. Since this study showed no significance contribution of entrepreneurial networking towards entrepreneurial thinking, efforts have to be taken by PHEIs to build entrepreneurial networking with various entrepreneurial parties and agencies related to entrepreneurship that can give mutual benefit to students, universities and related parties.