Entrepreneurial intention in university students in Chile: the role of training and education in entrepreneurship

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Training in entrepreneurship and its impact on the intention to undertake in university students is a topic that has become relevant in recent years. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial training and the intention to undertake. METHOD. To this end, a measurement instrument was applied to a sample of 286 Chilean university students. In the statistical processing, the construct based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was psychometrically validated and inferential statistics were used to analyze the existence of differences between entrepreneurial intention and the modalities of entrepreneurship training programs. RESULTS. The results show that there are positive differences attributable to entrepreneurial education. Thus, having taken subjects related to entrepreneurship shows significant differences in entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial attitudes and the perceived ability of students. Also, it was found that participating in practical experiences in entrepreneurship shows significant differences in all dimensions of the TPB so they seem to be effective in modifying entrepreneurship behavior in students.. DISCUSSION. The implications of the results are discussed, in terms of the importance of practical training and offering additional courses to the mandatory curriculum in entrepreneurship. Finally, as future lines of research it is considered relevant to explore the dimensions of entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy, considering the impact that entrepreneurship training has on these variables.