Intention to start a business and entrepreneurship education programme: a pre- and post-programme research design. Issue 4 (21st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Çera, Gentjan; Çera, Edmond
• Is Part Of: Journal of enterprising communities. Volume 14:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 603
• Page End: 619
• Publication Date: 2020-07-21
• Subjects: Entrepreneurship education -- Entrepreneurial intention -- Impact assessment -- Coarsened exact matching -- ANCOVA -- Albania; Industries -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Ethnic communities -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Community development -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.9105
• DOI: 10.1108/JEC-05-2020-0095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-6204

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The effect of a study programme in entrepreneurship on intention to start a business has not received adequate attention by researchers using a pre- and post-programme research design. The purpose of this paper is to find evidence of entrepreneurship education programme on entrepreneurial intention in the context of a post-communist transition county. Design/methodology/approach: Coarsened exact matching method is performed to achieve two similar groups: control (people who did not attend a study programme in entrepreneurship) and treated (those who attended) groups. Based on a set of covariates as identified in theory, 442 out of 528 members were matched. Hypotheses developed in a pre- and post-programme setting can be tested by using the ANCOVA. Members' scores on intention to start a business before the programme was introduced were used as the covariate in this analysis (pre-programme). Findings: The analysis confirms a significant difference between the two groups on entrepreneurial intention after the study programme in entrepreneurship was completed (post-programme). The results suggest that entrepreneurial intention is affected by entrepreneurship education programme. Research limitations/implications: This study offers useful insights for universities and individuals running a business. Aiming better results in terms of entrepreneurship, university, industry and government should align their efforts following a triple helix model. Originality/value: This work adds value to the entrepreneurship literature in the context of post-communist transition country. Furthermore, it uses a rigour methodology that makes the comparison of control and treated groups possible.