Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The impact of entrepreneurship education in European universities: an intention-based approach analyzed in the Spanish area

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the context of the wide-ranging social and economic changes that have been occurring in industrialized countries over recent decades, contemporary higher education institutions are seeing their missions expanded by the assignment of a further responsibility to provide a socio-economic boost, taking the form of the channelling of future generations of working population towards entrepreneurial goals in accordance with the new needs of the productive sector. In this context, the present study is aimed to analyze the impact of experiences of entrepreneurship education in the University on undergraduates’ career behaviour as explained by intention-based models. Self-report data was collected from a sample of 800 Spanish university students, and PLS analyses showed a positive effect of education on perceived entrepreneurship feasibility, which in turn affected entrepreneurial intention and behaviour. Otherwise, perceived desirability was not related with the remaining variables in the model. Implications of these results and limitations of the study are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Available in http://www.arwu.org

  2. The new Bachelor-level degrees suited to the EHEA began to be implemented in some Spanish universities along academic courses 2008–09 and 2009–10, completing the 47.8% of the process to be ended in the course 2010–11 (Ministry of Education 2009).

References

  • Acs ZJ, Audretsch DB, Evans D (1994) Why does the self-employment rate vary across countries and over time? (CEPR discussion paper N° 871). Centre for Economic Policy Research, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen I (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organ Behav Hum Dec Proc 50:179–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali-Choudhury R, Bennett R, Savani S (2008) University marketing directors’ views on the components of a university brand. Int Rev Public Non Profit Mark 6:11–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alves H, Raposo M (2004) La medición de la satisfacción en la enseñanza universitaria: el ejemplo de la Universidade da Beira interior. Int Rev Public Non Profit Mark 1(1):73–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson J, Gerbing D (1988) Structural equation modelling in practice: a review and recommended two step approach. Psychol Bull 103:285–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Audretsch DB (2003) Entrepreneurship: a survey of the literature (enterprise papers N° 14). European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Audretsch DB, Thurik R, Verheul I, Wennekers S (eds) (2002) Entrepreneurship: determinants and policy in a European-U.S. comparison. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston-Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Barclay D, Higgins C, Thompson R (1995) The Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach to causal modelling: personal computer adoption and use as an illustration. Technology Studies 2:285–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird B (1988) Implementing entrepreneurial ideas: the case for intentions. Acad Manage Rev 13:442–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Blau D (1987) A time-series analysis of self-employment in the United States. J Pol Econ 95:445–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bollen KA (1989) Structural equations with latent variables. Wiley, New York

  • Bosma N, Acs ZJ, Autio E, Corduras A, Levie J (2008) Global entrepreneurship monitor. 2008 executive report. Babson College-London Business School, Babson Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosma N, Levie J (2009) Global entrepreneurship monitor. 2009 executive report. Babson College-London Business School, Babson Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Cambra-Verdún J, Cambra-Fierro J (2007) Considerations and implications of the necessity of increasing efficiency in the public education system: the new public management (NPM) and the market orientation as reference concepts. Int Rev Public Non Profit Mark 3(2):41–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter NM, Gartner WB, Shaver K, Gatewood E (2003) The career reasons of nascent entrepreneurs. J Bus Venturing 18:13–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin WW (1998a) The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. In: George A (ed) Modern methods for business research. Laurence Erlbaum Associates, New Jersey, pp 295–336

  • Chin WW (1998b) Issues and opinion on structural equation modeling. MIS Quarterly 22(1):7–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Corduras A, Levie J, Kelley DJ, Saemundsson RJ, Schott T (2010) Global entrepreneurship monitor special report: a global perspective on entrepreneurship education and training. Babson College-London Business School, Babson Park-London

    Google Scholar 

  • Corduras A, Urbano D, Rojas A, Martínez S (2008) The relationship between university support to entrepreneurship with entrepreneurial activity in Spain. Int Adv Econ Res 16:395–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decision 2000/819/EC of the Council of 20 December 2000 on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001–2005). Off J Eur Communities L 333:84–91

  • Decision 1639/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a competitiveness and innovation framework program (2007 to 2013). Off J Eur Union L 310:15–40

  • De la Vega I, Corduras A, Cruz C, Justo R, González I (2009) Global entrepreneurship monitor. Informe ejecutivo GEM España 2009. Instituto de Empresa, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Directorate General of Small and Medium Enterprise Policy [DGPYME] (2006) Iniciativas emprendedoras en la universidad española. Centro de Publicaciones del Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte PO, Alves HB, Raposo MB (2010) Understanding university image: a structural equation model approach. Int Rev Public Non Profit Mark 7(1):21–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyer GW Jr (1994) Toward a theory of entrepreneurial careers. Entrep Theory Pract 19(2):7–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Enterprise Directorate General (2002) Final report of the expert group “best report” education for entrepreneurship. European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Enterprise Directorate General (2003) Green paper. Entrepreneurship in Europe. European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Enterprise Directorate General (2008a) Entrepreneurship education in higher education, especially within non-business studies. Final report of the expert group. European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • Enterprise Directorate General (2008b) Survey of entrepreneurship in higher education in Europe. Main report. European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2000a) Conclusions of the presidence. Lisbon European council, 23 and 24 March 2000. http://www.maec.es. Accessed 20 December 2010

  • European Commission (2000b) European chapter for small enterprises. http://ec.europa.eu. Accessed 20 December 2010

  • European Commission (2004) Communication from the commission to the council, the European parliament, the European economic and social committe and the commitee of the regions. Action plan: the European agenda for entrepreneurship (COM −2004. 70 final—not published in the Official Journal). European Commission, Brussels

  • European Commission (2005) Commission communication of 30 May 2005 on European policies concerning youth: addressing the concerns of young people in Europe—implementing the European youth pact and promoting active citizenship (COM −2005–206 final—not published in the Official Journal). European Commission, Brussels

  • European Commission (2007) Entrepreneurship survey of the EU (25 member states), United States, Iceland and Norway. Flash Eurobarómetro 192. Gallup Organization, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2008) Communication from the commission to the council, the European parliament, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions of 25 June 2008 entitled “think small first”—a “small business act” for Europe (COM −2008–394 final—not published in the Official Journal). European Commission: Brussels

  • European Union Council (2001) Report from the commission of 31 January 2001: the concrete future objectives of education systems (COM(2001) 59 final—not published in the Official Journal). http://europa.eu. Accessed 29 December 2010

  • European Union Council (2002) Detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe. Off J C 142

  • European Union Council (2009) Council conclusions of 12 May 2009 on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’). Off J C 142

  • Eurostat (2009) Labour market statistics. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk RF, Miller NB (1992) A primer for soft modeling. The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio

  • Fitzsimmons JR, Douglas EJ (2011) Interaction between feasibility and desirability in the formation of entrepreneurial intentions. J Bus Venturing

  • Flavián C, Lozano FJ (2004) Market orientation in public university: a challenge for the Spanish university system. Int Rev Public Non Profit Mark 1(2):9–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell C, Larcker DF (1981) Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. J Marketing Res 18:39–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Montalvo J (2007) La inserción laboral de los universitarios: entre el éxito y el desánimo. Panorama Socioecon 6:92–106

    Google Scholar 

  • García-Montalvo J, Peiró JM (2009) Análisis de la sobrecualificación y la flexibilidad laboral. Observatorio de Inserción Laboral de los Jóvenes 2008. Fundación Bancaja-IVIE, Valencia

    Google Scholar 

  • Geisser S (1974) A predictive approach to the random effects model. Biometrica 61:101–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González J, Wagenaar R (eds) (2003) Tuning educational structures in Europe. Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero M, Rialp J, Urbano D (2008) The impact of desirability and feasibility on entrepreneurial intentions: a structural equation model. Int Entrep Manag J 4:35–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair JFJ, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC (1998) Multivariate data analysis (5a ed.). Prentice Hall International, London

  • Ivy J (2001) Higher education institution image: a correspondence analysis approach. Int J Educ Manag 15(6):276–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James R, Baldwin G, Mcinnis C (1999) Which university? The factors influencing the choices of prospective undergraduates. Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz J, Gartner W (1988) Properties of emerging organizations. Acad Manage Rev 13:429–441

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim M, Hunter J (1993) Relationships among attitudes, intentions and behavior. Commun Res 20:331–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger NF (1993) The impact of prior entrepreneurial exposure on perceptions of new venture feasibility and desirability. Entrep Theory Pract 18(1):5–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Krueger NF, Brazeal DV (1994) Entrepreneurial potential and potential entrepreneurs. Entrep Theory Pract 18(3):91–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Krueger NF, Reilly MD, Carsrud AL (2000) Competing models of entrepreneurial intentions. J Bus Venturing 15:411–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liñán F (2007) The role of entrepreneurship education in the entrepreneurial process. In: Fayolle A (ed) Handbook of research in entrepreneurship education, vol 1. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp 230–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Liñán F, Battistelli A, Moriano JA (2008) In: Moriano JA, Gorgievski M, Lukes M (eds) Teaching psychology of entrepreneurship. Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, pp 21–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Liñán F, Rodríguez JC (2005) Actitudes empresariales de los estudiantes universitarios andaluces (documentos de trabajo, n° 30). Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Universidad de Jaén, Jaén

    Google Scholar 

  • Liñán F, Santos FJ (2007) Does social capital affect entrepreneurial intentions? Int Adv Econ Res 13:443–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Llano A (2003) Repensar la Universidad. La Universidad ante lo nuevo. Ed Internacionales Universitarias, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Matlay H (2008) The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial outcomes. J Small Bus Enterprise Dev 15:382–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGee JE, Mueller SL, Sequeira JM (2009) Self-efficacy: refining the measure. Entrep Theory Pract 33:965–988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michavila F (2009) Nuevos contenidos, nuevas metodologías. In: Toledo F, Michavila F (eds) Empleo y nuevas titulaciones en Europa. Tecnos-Universitat Jaume I, Madrid, pp 37–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education (2009) Datos y cifras del sistema universitario español. Curso 2009/2010. Secretaría General Técnica, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Moogan Y, Baron S, Bainbridge S (2001) Timings and trade-offs in the marketing of higher education courses: a conjoint approach. Mark Intell Plann 19(3):179–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mora JG (2003) La mejora de la eficacia de la enseñanza superior en el nuevo contexto europeo. Pap Econ Esp 95:188–194

    Google Scholar 

  • National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation [ANECA] (2007) Mapa de las actividades de empleo realizadas por las universidades. ANECA, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Statistics [INE] (2008) Encuesta de Población Activa. http://www.ine.es Accessed 18 May 2010

  • Nunnally JC (1978) Psychometric Theory. McGraw-Hill, New York

  • Nunnally JC, Bernstein IH (1994) Psychometric theory (3a ed.) McGraw-Hill, New York

  • Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2009a) Education at a glance. OECD, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2009b) International migration outlook. OECD, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterman NE, Kennedy J (2003) Enterprise education: influencing students’ perceptions of entrepreneurship. Entrep Theory Pract 28:129–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Placer JL, Vázquez JL (2005) Actividades y resultados del Plan Legio en 2002–05 y proyección para 2006. Secretariado de Publicaciones y Secretariado de Promoción Empresarial de la Universidad de León, León

    Google Scholar 

  • Recommendation 2006/962/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning. Off J Eur Union L 394:10–18

  • Robinson PB, Stimpson DV, Huefner J, Hunt HK (1991) An attitude approach to the prediction of entrepreneurship. Entrep Theory Pract 15(4):13–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez J, Mira J, Gómez JM, García A, Pérez-Jover V (2003) Implantación de un sistema de evaluación de la calidad en la educación superior basado en el modelo Europeo de excelencia. ESIC Market 114:243–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruíz J, Solé F, Veciana JM (2004) Creación de empresas y universidad, 1st edn. Fundación Universidad-Empresa de la provincia de Cádiz, Cádiz

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapero A, Sokol L (1982) The social dimensions of entrepreneurship. In: Kent C, Sexton D, Vesper K (eds) The encyclopedia of entrepreneurship. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, pp 72–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Sierra J (2010) Creación de empresas y emprendedores en la Región de Murcia. Consejo Económico y Social de la Región de Murcia, Murcia

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AJ, Collins LA, Hannon PD (2006) Embedding new entrepreneurship programmes in UK higher education institutions. Challenges and considerations. Educ Train 48:555–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soutaris V, Zerbinati S, Al-laham A (2007) Do entrepreneurship programmes raise entrepreneurial intention of science and engineering students? The effect of learning, inspiration and resources. J Bus Venturing 22:566–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone M (1974) Cross-validatory choice and assessment of statistical predictions. J R Stat Soc 36:111–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurik R (1999) Entrepreneurship, industrial transformation and growth. In: Liebcap GC (ed) The sources of entrepreneurial activity. JAI Press, Stanford, pp 29–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Toledano N, Urbano D (2008) Promoting entrepreneurial mindsets at universities: a case study in the South of Spain. Eur J Int Manag 2:382–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez JL, Georgiev I, Gutiérrez P, Lanero A, García MP (2010) Promoting regional development from University. Students’ perception on entrepreneurship motivation and training programs. Trakia J Sci 12–13:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez JL, Gutiérrez P, Lanero A, García MP (2009a) El desarrollo del potencial empresarial de los estudiantes en las universidades públicas de la Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla y León. Rev Investig Econ Soc Castilla León 12:19–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez JL, Naghiu A, Gutiérrez P, Lanero A, García MP (2009b) Entrepreneurship potential in the University: intentions and attitudes towards new venture creation. Bull UASVM Hortic 66:507–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez JL, Naghiu A, Gutiérrez P, Placer JL (2006) University and entrepreneurship: some results from the Spanish Legio experience 2002–06. Buletinul USAMV CN 63:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Veciana JM, Aponte M, Urbano U (2005) University students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship: a two countries comparison. Int Entrep Manag J 1:165–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zabalda MA (2009) La nueva misión académica. In: Toledo F, Michavila F (eds) Empleo y nuevas titulaciones en Europa. Tecnos-Universitat Jaume I, Madrid, pp 73–105

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain

    Ana Lanero, José Luis Vázquez & Pablo Gutiérrez

  2. Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain

    M. Purificación García

Authors
  1. Ana Lanero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Luis Vázquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pablo Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Purificación García
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Lanero.

Additional information

This research was supported by the FPU Program of the Ministry of Education in Spain

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lanero, A., Vázquez, J.L., Gutiérrez, P. et al. The impact of entrepreneurship education in European universities: an intention-based approach analyzed in the Spanish area. Int Rev Public Nonprofit Mark 8, 111–130 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12208-011-0067-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12208-011-0067-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation