Implications of Student Entrepreneurial Traits on Entrepreneurship Education: A Descriptive-Inferential Analysis
Keywords:
entrepreneurialism; entrepreneurship education; higher education; entrepreneurial traitsAbstract
Across the globe, there is an increasing demand for entrepreneurship education due to the vital role entrepreneurs play in economic growth. However, to ensure the effective transmission of entrepreneurship education, it is essential to understand the entrepreneurial attributes of students. We profiled the attributes of students in entrepreneurship education at a university of technology in South Africa from a self-perception perspective. We collected data using a survey questionnaire, adopted a quantitative approach and used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data from 203 students. A census of the total student population was conducted, and all students willing to participate were included in the study. The results indicated that students reported high levels of entrepreneurial attributes. Students reported high levels of entrepreneurial traits, including confidently pursuing goals, perseverance through challenges, creative problem-solving, adaptability in dynamic contexts, and effective networking. Although a few attributes showed a statistically significant distribution of perceptions among study levels and gender, the findings had important implications for supporting entrepreneurship education curricula and helping students enhance their entrepreneurial attributes. The findings underscore the value of self-perception in assessing entrepreneurial potential and suggest that a structured entrepreneurship education program can further enhance these attributes. These insights can guide educators in designing targeted programs that build on students' strengths while addressing development areas, contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa. Future studies should explore entrepreneurial attributes across diverse institutional contexts to develop a comparative national perspective on entrepreneurship education in the country.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.7.25
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