The significant importance of entrepreneurship for the economic development, job creation and innovation have increased the concerns of researchers and decision makers at different levels for the understanding and investigation of the factors that could have an impact on the level of entrepreneurial activity. In fact, differences in entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurship are substantial, persistent and distinct from their background in different nations and / or regions, especially in Europe. Theoretical studies and empirical studies confirm that the entrepreneurial activities of individuals are the main drivers of the development of entrepreneurship, namely in terms of economic growth, mainly through the contribution to the creation of new jobs, the development of competitiveness and innovations at the enterprise.For this purpose, we used two Global Databases Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) of the year 2015, which were duly adapted and thus created the database for the analysis of this study, having as justification performed literature review considered the variables necessary for this purpose.Results reveal that the key determinants of the entrepreneurial intention in the European countries are: "perceived capacity" by the individual; the "entrepreneurial intention" itself which will, in fact, influence the "rate of nascent entrepreneurship"; the "governmental and political factors" in relation to the respective "financing for the entrepreneur", and the "basic education and training" in entrepreneurship which influence "research & development".

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to involve the differences in the entrepreneurial intentions of student at higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Portuguese regions (mainland and insular). Design/methodology/approach Applying a sample of 594 valid responses, the authors analyzed the data according to linear regression models. Findings The results convey how HEI students generally do not intend to become entrepreneurs in both the mainland and the insular regions. Although HEI students broadly do not aim to launch their own businesses, the results show that students in mainland regions feel they have the skills to start a business and drive it to success. In insular regions, students feel encouraged by their friends and family to set up their own business. When comparing insular and mainland regions, the results demonstrate how in insular regions, there is a greater probability that HEI students become entrepreneurs than in the mainland regions. Furthermore, entrepreneurial intentions in the mainland regions develop in terms of “opportunities” while driven by necessity in the insular regions. Practical implications This furthermore makes recommendations to regional governments and to HEIs in order to enable better encouragement of entrepreneurship in academia. Originality/value This study is original and innovative due to its comparison of the entrepreneurial intentions prevailing in mainland and insular regions and may propose new highlights to the academic scientific literature.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the role of entrepreneurial artisan products in regional tourism competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach This study applies secondary data from different sources (Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira, the Madeira Institute of Wine, Embroideries and Handicrafts) covering a temporal period spanning the last 15 years (2001-2015). This deployed quantitative data analysis through an econometric approach with recourse to regression models and the Pearson’s correlation technique. Findings According to the results, it is suggested that in terms of external support and funding, there should be a greater role and a boost in the number of projects carried out not only under the auspices of the European Union but also under the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Thus, participant companies may invest in greater business efficiency and entrepreneurship, in innovation, promotion and the internationalisation of their products, and thereby obtain greater overall regional competitiveness. Research limitations/implications The generalisation of results remains to a certain extent limited, given the findings stem from only one particular region. The exclusive utilisation of secondary data may also undermine the robustness of the results obtained. Originality/value The study provides empirical evidence that helps in identifying the role of artisan products within the capacity for regional tourism sector entrepreneurship and competitiveness. Furthermore, this also contributes to the knowledge of the scientific community particularly interested in artisan and cultural entrepreneurship and regional competitiveness in the tourism sector.

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