Search Results (80)

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally disrupted assumptions about entrepreneurship, career planning, and professional development. This study explored how the pandemic influenced the entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate business students in the United States. Using a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews with 31 students at a public Midwestern university, the research interpreted student narratives through the lenses of effectuation theory, resilience theory, and the theory of planned behavior. Findings revealed that many participants reframed entrepreneurship as a strategy for navigating economic uncertainty and enhancing personal agency. Students reported valuing adaptability, resourcefulness, and opportunity recognition, often experimenting with side hustles during the pandemic as a means of resilience. Their entrepreneurial thinking shifted from purely economic motivations toward aspirations for flexibility, self-fulfillment, and purposeful work. The study highlights the formative role of crisis contexts in shaping entrepreneurial identity among emerging professionals. It suggests that entrepreneurship education should move beyond traditional models, fostering skills for navigating complexity and building resilience. In doing so, the findings contribute to broader conversations about youth entrepreneurship, post-pandemic career development, and the evolving demands of the labor market in times of disruption. Full article

This article reflects on a capacity-building project co-designed with two universities in northern Mozambique to strengthen partnerships in the educational sector in addressing local issues of youth unemployment and food insecurity. The project focused on building communities of practice (CoPs) around the three secondary-level schools delivering agricultural education and training with the participation of universities’ lecturers from agricultural universities as well as students and rural communities. These three CoPs became collaborative networks foregrounded in participatory action research that allowed for a joint production of knowledge. Because of this, we propose to frame these CoPs as microcosms of an expanded skills ecosystem that exists on a territorial level and encompasses diverse forms of knowledge. Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, CoPs created opportunities for students to do practical work that is often lacking in training and, especially, to encounter entrepreneurship possibilities that can facilitate education–work transitions. With this experience in mind, we ask ourselves, how can CoPs harness skills development towards the education–work transition for youth in agriculture? Our insights into this question are based on three years of project implementation (2021–2023) and, hopefully, will contribute to better understand the role of vocationally trained youth for Mozambique’s agricultural development. Full article

The article compares the young generation’s perspectives on social and environmental problems in Greece and Poland. We examine the visions of young generation representatives for solving these problems and their role in developing sustainable enterprises. A quantitative analysis was conducted using a k-means clustering algorithm in Python to analyze youth perspectives on sustainable enterprises in both countries. The method offers several benefits, including uncovering unexpected patterns, simplifying the data, and highlighting shared views across both countries. The results show that the youth in Greece and Poland widely support the inclusion of social and environmental considerations into business strategies, and despite some differences in the strengths of opinions, they agree that businesses should integrate sustainability into their mission. However, different clusters reveal varying levels of youth knowledge and awareness. Young people believe that businesses should prioritize sustainability, but acknowledge the difficulty of balancing profits with social and environmental goals. Financial support, specific skills, and experience are necessary for establishing sustainable enterprises. An enabling environment and youth empowerment are critical for promoting youth’s sustainable entrepreneurship. Future research could focus on the enabling factors that impact the willingness of youth to engage in sustainable entrepreneurship and on the ways and tools to provide necessary support. Full article

Market-oriented agriculture functions as a critical mechanism by which rural farmers can alleviate poverty and enhance food security, and it is actively promoted in Côte d’Ivoire. However, household food security varies across commercialized farmers depending on context and region. This paper examines variations in food security between different market-oriented vegetable-farming households in rural northern Côte d’Ivoire. Using cross-sectional data from 200 vegetable farmers, this study employs an endogenous switching regression model to address potential selectivity bias. The results show that market-oriented farming is positively associated with higher food-consumption scores, greater dietary diversity, and increased caloric intake. Moreover, nonparticipants or semi-subsistence farmers are expected to achieve better food-security outcomes under market-oriented conditions. Key factors influencing the adoption of market-oriented farming include market proximity, access to extension services, and education level. This paper advocates for policies tailored to specific environments, such as rural smallholder farming communities, that support local markets and encourage entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth, and ensure the accessibility of improved inputs, thereby supporting market-oriented agriculture and enhancing food security. Full article

Entrepreneurship has long been a key driver of economic development across various countries. Investigating the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour is essential for making a meaningful contribution to sustainable development. This study investigated the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour among university of technology and TVET college students in South Africa, utilising the modified theory of planned behaviour. Specifically, the study explored how risk-taking propensity, financial and non-financial support, media, and gender influence perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial intention, and behaviour. Additionally, the study tested the direct effects of perceived behavioural control on both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour, as well as the direct effect of entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behaviour. An online, structured, self-administered questionnaire was utilised to gather data from 496 finalyear diploma students at a university of technology and a TVET college, using a convenience sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyse the data and test the postulated hypotheses. The findings revealed that non-financial support positively affected entrepreneurial intention, perceived behavioural control, and entrepreneurial behaviour, while financial support did not. Risk-taking propensity significantly influenced perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behaviour. The results revealed that the gender was negatively related to perceived behavioural control, and female students exhibited lower perceived behavioural control than their male counterparts. However, gender showed no significant association with entrepreneurial intention or entrepreneurial behaviour. Media had a positive influence on both entrepreneurial intention and perceived behavioural control but did not significantly affect entrepreneurial behaviour. Additionally, both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour were positively influenced by perceived behavioural control, while entrepreneurial intention also was positively associated with entrepreneurial behaviour. These findings underscore the critical role of fostering a supportive entrepreneurial environment in shaping entrepreneurial behaviour. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educators to cultivate an environment that supports students in developing as entrepreneurs. The results can inform policymakers in implementing support interventions aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial capacity among the youth. Promoting entrepreneurship is vital in achieving sustainable development goals through job creation and poverty alleviation. Full article

Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in driving innovation, productivity, and economic growth, with universities emerging as key actors within entrepreneurial ecosystems. This study seeks to expand the understanding on the role of Latin American universities on entrepreneurial ecosystems by examining the case of alumni from Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN). Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research explores individual, organizational, and institutional dynamics within the Ecuadorian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Results indicate that universities like EPN nurture professional and technical capabilities but face institutional obstacles that restrict their capacity to foster knowledge-based, high-growth ventures. This study highlights several institutional-level barriers, including market dominance, limited access to formal financing, corruption, and complex regulations, that limit innovation. Thus, universities in the region play an important role in preparing potential entrepreneurs, yet their impact is ultimately restricted by contextual factors. To overcome these challenges, universities can strengthen their support by integrating entrepreneurship education, networking opportunities, early-stage venture experiences, and exposure to role models or success stories. Particularly in contexts like Ecuador, fostering self-efficacy, resilience, and opportunity recognition can boost entrepreneurial behavior. In addition, enhancing university–industry collaboration, encouraging business transparency, improving funding accessibility, and supporting knowledge-intensive businesses are essential steps to harness the full potential of universities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Full article

This study aligns with the Rural Pact’s Long-Term Vision for European Rural Areas by encouraging multi-level collaboration and stakeholder engagement to address rural needs. Using a Human Ecology perspective, it challenges rural stereotypes, promotes spatial justice and aims to reduce rural–urban disparities by fostering social innovation and youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews identified six key dimensions and their sub-dimensions within a transformative social–ecological model. The notable sub-dimensions include “Local Experimentation and Creativity” in Civil Society, “Higher Education Institutions and Lifelong Learning” in Knowledge and Skills, “Formal Institutional Monitoring at the National Level” in a Political and Institutional Context, and “Profiles—Young Age and Gender” in Entrepreneurship. Full article

Digital rights have been little studied from a gender perspective until now. This research analyses, from a gender perspective, the characteristics of young entrepreneurs, the use of social media in their entrepreneurial projects, and their observance of digital rights. It uses a descriptive methodology based on the analysis of 144 successful cases of youth entrepreneurship. Percentage analysis and Chi-Square tests were carried out to determine gender differences. The results reveal that most of the entrepreneurial projects are led by men. The sectors of choice for female entrepreneurs seem to be, among others, the manufacturing industry and health activities. The most used social media are websites and Facebook. Overall, no statistically significant gender differences were found in terms of respect for digital rights. The results of this study point to the need to design and develop training actions aimed at gender equity in youth entrepreneurship and training in the observance and respect of digital rights. The results of this study have social implications insofar as they highlight the differences between genders in the development of entrepreneurial projects and the importance of protecting and respecting digital rights in social media, as established by international standards. Full article

In rural areas like the Daït Aoua territory, young people often face economic marginalization due to limited access to land, financial resources, and socio-cultural constraints. This study examines the economic inclusion of youth in this region and identifies key factors influencing their participation in local economies. Using a participatory territorial approach, we combined quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, interviews, and statistical analyses. The findings highlight significant spatial inequalities restricting youth to low-income, precarious roles in agricultural labor or unpaid family work, primarily due to delayed intergenerational land transfers. Despite some efforts toward income diversification through entrepreneurship and seasonal migration, these strategies are often hindered by a lack of capital and market limitations. The research underscores the need for targeted policies to address these structural barriers, promote equitable access to resources, and foster sustainable economic development. Understanding these dynamics is essential for creating opportunities that empower rural youth, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities’ growth. Full article

Entrepreneurship education is crucial in fostering and supporting entrepreneurial intentions among young people. However, many factors, such as immigrant background, are associated with whether youth aspire to an entrepreneurial career. The aim of this study was to examine whether immigrant-origin youth in Finland were more likely than natives to aspire to an entrepreneurial career, and to what extent their sense of belonging, acculturation attitudes, and self-esteem explained these aspirations (N = 2838, Mage = 15.6). Regression (OLS and L2-regularized) and moderation analyses stratified by immigrant status and gender revealed that the immigrant-origin youth were more likely to aspire to an entrepreneurial career than their native counterparts, even after adjusting for gender. Among the male immigrant-origin youth, self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and acculturation attitudes explained 25% of the variation in their entrepreneurial intentions. However, the associations of these factors with entrepreneurial intentions among the native youth were weaker, and they were not related to entrepreneurial intentions among the female immigrant-origin youth at all. Acculturation attitudes were associated with EIs among the native females, but not the males. Full article

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship education on shaping entrepreneurial intentions among business administration students at Tayma University College. Utilizing both the Entrepreneurial Intention Model (EIM) and the Entrepreneurship Education Framework (EEF), this research assesses how content, pedagogical approaches, and the learning environment influence students’ entrepreneurial aspirations. A survey of 135 male and female students was conducted, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between educational factors and entrepreneurial intentions. The findings show that comprehensive course content, interactive teaching methods, and a supportive educational environment significantly enhance students’ perceived feasibility and desirability of entrepreneurship. Moreover, attitudes towards entrepreneurship mediate the relationship between education and entrepreneurial intentions. This study contributes to the growing literature by providing insights into how targeted entrepreneurship education can foster entrepreneurial intentions, particularly within the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to promote economic diversification and youth empowerment. This study not only explores entrepreneurial education but also highlights its contribution to sustainability. By fostering a mindset that aligns with the socio-economic goals of Vision 2030, entrepreneurship education promotes sustainable economic growth and prepares students to contribute to a diversified and resilient economy. Full article

The main objective of this article is to analyze the effect of a group of predictors on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of emotional competencies. To achieve this aim, a sample of 996 students belonging to ten public and seven private universities was selected, with each university having been granted high-quality accreditation by the Colombian Ministry of Education. The theoretical approach was based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the empirical analysis was based on structural equation models. Eight hypotheses were tested, with entrepreneurial intention as the dependent variable and emotional competencies, subjective norms, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitude as independent variables. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire with a Likert scale to students of subjects related to entrepreneurship. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in the two ecosystems analyzed (public and private), emotional competencies (EC) have neither a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention (EI) nor an indirect one since no significant influence is observed between emotional competencies and entrepreneurial attitude; however, a direct and positive effect was recorded between the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude constructs on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it is observed that subjective norms (SN) do not directly affect EI, but they do influence it indirectly, being mediated by entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy. The contribution of this study is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Colombia, which will make it possible to foster strategies for the generation of youth employment and public policies to promote various entrepreneurial initiatives. This could be based on government regulations adopted in the last decade, which are still under development, and the broad participation of university students and research groups of higher education institutions. Furthermore, given the dearth of research examining the impact of emotional competencies on the entrepreneurial intentions of young Colombian university students, this study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap, thereby contributing to the development of a more robust body of literature that can inform the design and implementation of educational strategies and public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the university ecosystems of this country. Full article

Youth migration has significant consequences that lead to depopulation and less sustainability of local business, which is particularly pronounced in rural areas. All of this contributes to the potential devastation of rural communities, an impact that could be highly significant and far-reaching. Entrepreneurship and the innovation it brings with it can be important markers for effective rural development if changes are needed. Therefore, the primary objectives of our research were to determine how socio-demographic factors determine the attitudes of young rural people regarding openness to entrepreneurship, whether young rural people believe they have the ability to engage in entrepreneurship and take actionable steps, and what is the relationship between openness and entrepreneurial capacity. The research was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024 among 299 participants in rural areas of two neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia. The results indicate various factors that influence rural youth’s openness to entrepreneurship, such as unemployment, age and country of origin. Also, the results show a positive correlation between openness to entrepreneurship and the perception of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the study found significant differences between respondents from Serbia and Croatia in the assessment of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. The results of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of how young people perceive and experience life in rural areas, and highlight potential challenges related to their specific needs. This insight enables key stakeholders to design programs that support youth in starting businesses and sustaining entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, the study offers both a theoretical and practical basis for future research, serving as a valuable guide for the improvement of rural communities, that is, guidelines for strategies that focus on inclusive development based on the revitalization of social frameworks. Full article

While entrepreneurship continues to gain significance worldwide as a means for economic development and a tool for youth employment, coffee cultivation entrepreneurial intention becomes an essential goal to investigate and a necessary instrument. Accordingly, this research investigates the role of external factors, namely Access to Finance (ATF), Structural and Institutional Support (SIS), Physical Infrastructure Support (PIS), Social Influence (SIF) and Education and Training (ET), in stimulating Coffee Farming Entrepreneurial Intention (CFEI) among potential entrepreneurs (students). A sample of 318 participants from various universities in Saudi Arabia responded to an online questionnaire, forming the basis for analysis using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study reported different findings, such as a positive relationship between CFEI and other factors, namely PIS, SIF and ET. However, the study found no positive connection between ATF, SIS and CFEI. The study concluded by providing actionable recommendations for policymakers about stimulating coffee farming among students and contributing to the economic development process and youth employment. It also assists in the establishment of sustainable business environments for future generations. Full article

The Indonesian government prioritizes development in the 3T regions: frontier, outermost, and least-developed areas, which are vital for holistic progress. Aligned with the Golden Generation program, it emphasizes education, tech access, and entrepreneurship to empower youth against societal challenges. Larantuka, in East Nusa Tenggara of Indonesia, exemplifies local maritime culture’s influence and the need for personalized e-learning which is rooted in tradition. Qualitative research was conducted and identified two key factors: content reflecting collective memory and offline accessibility. Local culture alongside formal education fosters character building and lifelong learning by integrating theoretical teachings with practical applications, based on the cultural value of “gotong royong” (mutual cooperation). This approach ensures that Indonesia’s cultural heritage thrives amidst educational progress. Full article