The Impact of Higher Education Programs on Students’ Entrepreneurship Knowledge, Skills And Attitudes

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims to explore and analyses the impact of higher education programs on students’ entrepreneurship knowledge, skills and attitudes in Palestine. It investigates the relationships between education and entrepreneurship using a case study research approach. Design/methodology/approach – During the academic year 2014-2015, a questionnaire survey was distributed to a sample of 380 final-year students and graduates of business, engineering and IT in Palestine. Furthermore a series of in-depth and semi-structured interviews was conducted with experts in order to capture the integral aspects of the phenomena under investigation (i.e. a more comprehensive understanding of the students’ adverse intentions towards entrepreneurship). Findings: The findings suggest that students’ entrepreneurial knowledge and skills in Palestine are moderate. University curriculum is weak in teaching students on identifying business opportunities, environmental analysis and innovation. Also weak in improving students skills in negotiations, taking a calculated risk, managerial skills in planning, organizing, leading and delegating, team work, monitoring and evaluation. In addition, a moderate level of motivations were found among students and graduates to launch their businesses. They were hardly received technical or managerial advices to establish or run their businesses.