On Becoming an Entrepreneurial Leader: A Focus on the Impacts of University Entrepreneurship Programs

Abstract

Problem statement: Despite the significant influences of university entrepreneurship programs in developing students' entrepreneurial intention and abilities, there is little knowledge about how such programs shape students' abilities to successfully lead entrepreneurial activities. Approach: The main purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the impacts of university entrepreneurship programs in developing students' entrepreneurial leadership competencies. A sample of 14 undergraduate entrepreneurial leaders defined as having been highly involved in leading university entrepreneurship clubs and activities for at least two semesters was purposefully selected and interviewed. Results: Analysis of the data illustrated the prominent impacts of university entrepreneurship programs in developing students' entrepreneurial leadership through improving their self-awareness, self-efficacy and entrepreneurial leadership identity realization. Conclusion: It seems crucial to provide opportunities for them to explore their potentials in entrepreneurial leadership and university entrepreneurship programs may need to organize entrepreneurship clubs and associations where the students can experience leadership position and practice real roles and tasks of the leader in entrepreneurial activities. Implication of the findings for entrepreneurial leadership theory development and entrepreneurship education and the areas for future research are discussed.

South Africa's Youth Unemployment Dilemma: Whose Baby is it anyway?

“…This links to a study done by Stiwne and Alves (2010) stating that the employability of students is related to various characteristics of which include higher education levels. Enhancing education and adding entrepreneurship training could help students and young people to develop higher employability levels and increased intention to start a business (Bagheri & Pihie, 2011). Table 9 it can be seen that Indian/Asian (M=39.222), Coloured (M=38.391) and African(M=36.383) students experience a higher entrepreneurial inclination to start their own business than white students (M=32.286) students.…”

“…Ekpoh and Edet (2011) state that a positive relation exists between entrepreneurship education and attitudes. Therefore, entrepreneurship training and education could help students and young people develop a positive attitude and understanding regarding this topic (Bagheri & Pihie, 2011).…”

Entrepreneurship: an assimilated multi-perspective review

“…Lessons can be drawn from the entrepreneurial leadership paradigm which may provide a template from which to access nascent entrepreneurs at the pre-conception stage (Dimov, 2010). Bagheri and colleagues (Bagheri & Pihie 2009, 2010a, 2010b, 2011a, 2011b have focused their empirical studies on university students who have displayed interests in entrepreneurship. Whilst this is a narrow context it may provide some insights into the preengagement process of new venture creation.…”

The Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies of Students in the Academic Environment: the Scope and Determinants

“…przez edukację w zakresie promowania i uruchamiania własnej działalności gospodarczej, kreowanie proaktywnych postaw i rozwój umiejętności biznesowych wśród studentów i absolwentów, co dotyczy w znacznym stopniu ekonomicznych, biznesowych i technicznych kierunków kształcenia (Drynia, 2014). Ważną rolę odgrywają tu założenia programowe, liczba godzin i poziom realizacji zajęć z przedsiębiorczości, które powinny być nakierowane przede wszystkim na wzrost motywacji, postaw i wartości przedsiębiorców, dostrzeganie okazji rynkowych, obiektywizację warunków podejmowania działalności gospodarczej, rozwój zdolności komunikacyjnych, a także zasad skutecznego zarządzania we własnej firmie (Souitaris i in., 2007;Bagheri, Pihie, 2011).…”