Factors that influence student participation in entrepreneurship among university students; the case of Strathmore university undergraduates students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the entrepreneurial mindset of undergraduate students. The study was built on Ajzene's theory of planned behavior to identify the factors influencing entrepreneurship participation among undergraduate students in Strathmore university students. Data was obtained from 123 students of two different programs offered at Strathmore University.

The study was based on the following objectives :To establish the influence of entrepreneurship Education on student Participation in entrepreneurship at Strathmore university; To assess the influence of family background on Student Participation in entrepreneurship at Strathmore University ;To establish the influence of University factors on student participation in entrepreneurship at Strathmore University; To establish the influence of student factors on student participation in entrepreneurship at Strathmore University.

The target population of the study was 564 students undertaking entrepreneurship course as an elective in Strathmore University. A sample of 123 students was picked based on stratified sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. This study has found out that Entrepreneurship education in universities can have a positive influence in terms of general attitudes to entrepreneurship.

Further, deliberate efforts by universities to boost entrepreneurship allow the students to learn and participate more and generate the confidence they need to participate in entrepreneurship. The study has also found out that students do influence each other to participate in entrepreneurship and influence brought about by family as well as own experiences about entrepreneurship contribute to higher entrepreneurship inclinations.

The study recommends that Academic institutions should link the content of their entrepreneurship syllabus with the needs in the market and changing times. Policy makers in the area of education should ensure that the spirit of entrepreneurship is not just fostered at higher education but developed from an early age so that the students have entrepreneurship as a career choice from among their choices of carrier.