Entrepreneurship education

Purpose - Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to approach entrepreneurial intention (EI) and the factors preceding the founding of EI among secondary students, both studying general academic and specific professional programs, and thereby establish causal rel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Education & training (London) 2012-11, Vol.54 (8/9), p.657-672
Main Authors: Marques, Carla S, Ferreira, João J, Gomes, Daniela N, Gouveia Rodrigues, Ricardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achievement Need
Attitudes
Behavior
Careers
Community Relations
Demographics
Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship education
Higher education
Hypotheses
Intention
Locus of Control
Secondary school students
Secondary schools
Self employment
Studies
Teaching Methods
Unemployment
Vocational Education
Youth Employment
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Summary:Purpose - Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to approach entrepreneurial intention (EI) and the factors preceding the founding of EI among secondary students, both studying general academic and specific professional programs, and thereby establish causal relationships between psychological, demographic and behavioural factors.Design methodology approach - A sample of secondary students, both studying general academic and specific professional programs, was chosen. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed with resource to structural equation models (SEM) to measure the causal relationships among different constructs.Findings - The results show that the EI of secondary school students is influenced by such demographic, psychological and behavioural factors. However, the hypothesis of becoming entrepreneurs in the future remains independent of the fact of whether or not students had already experienced engagement with entrepreneurship-related themes having no impact on EI. These results raise a series of pertinent questions and deserve being subject to a more profound reflection and not only among the scientific and academic community but also among political and government entities.Originality value - The paper provides important evidence to expand entrepreneurship education specifically in the field of secondary school education. These students are already about to face choices over their professional careers. This remains valid whether or not students intend to proceed with higher education studies or to join the workforce. Therefore this research contributes towards meeting a better understanding of EI and the factors preceding the formation of this intention among secondary school students.
ISSN:0040-0912
1758-6127
DOI:10.1108/00400911211274819