Prior education and entrepreneurial intentions: the differential impact of a wide range of fields of study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Aurora Teixeira (Author) FEP; Rosa Maria Forte (Author) FEP

Journal

Title: Review of Managerial Science

Vol. 11

Pages: 353-394

ISSN: 1863-6683

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 34 Citations

Scopus - 35 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-2HN

DOI: 10.1007/s11846-015-0188-2

Abstract (EN): Studies on entrepreneurial intentions often neglect the heterogeneity of individuals' education background. This paper develops an integrated intention-based framework and analyzes the impact of fields of study on entrepreneurial intentions. Based on a sample of 2423 final-year students, enrolled in 32 fields of study, and resorting to logistic estimations, we find that, beside the attitude towards starting a business, fields of study, considered at a highly detailed level, are relevant (direct and indirect) predictors of entrepreneurial intention. We unambiguously show that there is a huge hidden potential for new venture creation in fields of study related to creative and leisure activities (e.g., Arts and humanities, or, more specifically, Literature and linguistics, History and archaeology, Audio-visual techniques and media production, Sports, and Architecture and town planning), Law, and Health (most notably, Pharmacy and Veterinary). Significant differences in the level of intention between students of different fields of study indicate that universities should more extensively focus entrepreneurship education on students in other subject area than business or engineering/technology sciences.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 42