Entrepreneurship Education and Entry into Self-Employment Among University Graduates. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Premand, Patrick; Brodmann, Stefanie; Almeida, Rita; Grun, Rebekka; Barouni, Mahdi
• Is Part Of: World development. Volume 77(2016)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 327
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: entrepreneurship education -- training -- self-employment -- skills -- program evaluation -- randomized control trial; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2015.08.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-750X

Abstract

Highlights: We examine the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education on labor-market outcomes. Participation in an entrepreneurship track in Tunisia was randomized among interested university students. Participation led to a small increase in self-employment one year after graduation. Overall employment rates remained unchanged, however. The program improved business skills, but had mixed impacts on personality and entrepreneurial traits. Summary: Entrepreneurship education has the potential to enable youth to gain skills and create their own jobs. In Tunisia, a curricular reform created an entrepreneurship track providing business training and coaching to help university students prepare a business plan. We rely on randomized assignment of the entrepreneurship track to identify impacts on students' labor market outcomes one year after graduation. The entrepreneurship track led to a small increase in self-employment, but overall employment rates remained unchanged. Although business skills improved, effects on personality and entrepreneurial traits were mixed. The program nevertheless increased graduates' aspirations toward the future.