Factors Affecting Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Intention: The Effect of Entrepreneurial Education, Previous Experience, and Personal Skills

Abstract

It is generally accepted that entrepreneurship can be taught and that learning leads to new venture creation. However, some argue that entrepreneurship cannot be taught. With this in mind, this study examined the relationship of entrepreneurial education, personal skills, and previous experience to examine which factor plays the most effective role in making an impact on the intention to become an entrepreneur. The study sample consisted of 218 management undergraduates from three leading universities in Sri Lanka and data were collected through the administration of a formal questionnaire. Generally, the overall results of the study indicate that the best way to make an impact on undergraduates is to guide them through practical entrepreneurial experience rather than focusing more on formal theoretical knowledge. Therefore, this study suggests academics, to integrate the more practical experience into the entrepreneurship course curriculums and this will reshape the future development of the entrepreneurial education field.