Determinants of the entrepreneurial self-efficacy of engineering students from a South African university of technology

Abstract

The authors of this article investigate the links between entrepreneurial role models, entrepreneurship education and the entrepreneurial self-efficacy of engineering students from South Africa. The study reported in this article used census sampling to collect data from 410 undergraduate engineering students at a South African university, representing a 7% response rate. The data were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM). The study found a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial role models and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. It confirmed the importance of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial role models in enhancing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, consistent with previous research. However, the results did not establish a relationship between entrepreneurial role models and entrepreneurship education. The results suggest that curriculum developers should consider including guest lectures and networking opportunities in entrepreneurship education programmes. They should utilise entrepreneurial role models similar to the students or from the same communities.