Fostering Entrepreneurship: an Empirical study of Entrepreneurial mind set of Engineering and Technology students in Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose- Entrepreneurship is usually considered only subject of business students. Due to lack of knowledge of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills engineering and technology education students are left behind in entrepreneurial activities. In order to add to literature on forecasting entrepreneurial intentions this research paper aims to examine levels of Entrepreneurial Intentions amongst Engineering and Technology students in Pakistan. Theoretical Framework- This research is based on Theory of Planned Behavior according to which entrepreneurial intentions are based upon antecedents such as perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, proactive personality, risk taking propensity and attitudes towards entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – Paper based survey (Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire) will be conducted among finale year engineering and technology students (n=150). A comparison will be made with business students participated in entrepreneurship courses (n=150). Analyses- Data will be analyze using SPSS soft ware in computer while correlation, t-test regression will be utilized for finding out the results. SEM or factor analysis may also be utilized for data analysis. Findings – Results should yield similarities and differences among these students participated in entrepreneurship education and those students who did not participated in entrepreneurship education. What factors influence the intentions? Risk taking propensity, motivations and restrictions to entrepreneurship associated with their culture. Practical implications – Policy makers can make policies on the basis of the research to enhance entrepreneurial mind set amongst youth of the region. It will help in socio – economic growth of the region for developing entrepreneurship education policy for engineering and technology education students. Contribution –This study will add to the literature previously researched about antecedent of entrepreneurial inclinations in participation entrepreneurship education and engineering students