Entrepreneurial Intentions of Undergraduate Students. (c2018)

Abstract

It is generally accepted that the educational system of universities has to provide an academic environment that is beneficial to graduate students to meet the challenges of the workplace. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of entrepreneurial intention (EI) and the impact of entrepreneurship education among Lebanese undergraduate students from an American style university. The study follows a mixed methods approach in which qualitative and quantitative data counterpart each other in order to strengthen data collected and overcome the weakness of the other as the main research questions addressed. Three instruments were used for data collection. The Theory of Perceived Behavior v.3.1 questionnaire was adopted. Data from the semi structured interview with three faculty members, and a focus group interview with 10 education students were cross checked to enhance reliability of findings. The qualitative and quantitative data analyses generated results that were grounded within the frame work of Theory of Perceived Behavior and impact of entrepreneurial education. The results show that there are entrepreneurial intentions which confirm the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education on enhancing entrepreneurial intention. The findings indicate that there is a strong entrepreneurship intention among the American style university undergraduate students. Accordingly, a more favorable context to effectively integrate entrepreneurial undergraduate courses.