The Impact Of Entrepreneurship Education On The Entrepreneurial Intentions Of Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

Purpose The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the effect entrepreneurship education had on marginalized individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions, or desire to start a business. Also, the study sought to know how entrepreneurship education affects marginalized individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions. This research closes the gap in literature in the field of entrepreneurship by demonstrating that when marginalized individuals obtain entrepreneurship education, it will impact their entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship education impacted their desire to start a business as well as their capability. The study also found that entrepreneurship education influenced their decision to consider entrepreneurship as a career. Marginalized individuals in the study stated that their business education impacted them in the following ways: entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindset. It examined the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions to determine if economically disadvantaged individuals will become entrepreneurs after gaining business education and also how entrepreneurship education affects economically disadvantaged individuals’ entrepreneurial intentions. Design/Methodology/Approach Through a regression model and correlation coefficient model, the study showed a positive relationship between the variables business education and entrepreneurial intentions and business ownership. This study used a convenience sample that recruited a total of 57 participants that were Black, Latino, and Asian American living in the United States of America who attended a four-year university and also obtained a business degree on the undergraduate or graduate level. The Self-Efficacy and Self-Determination Theories were applied for the analysis to evaluate the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions. The investigator of the study used a systematic literature review process to search entrepreneurship literature. Entrepreneurship education may affect people’s attitudes and behavioral intentions toward entrepreneurship and improve their ability to manage a business. Entrepreneurship is empowerment. Studies have shown that entrepreneurship eradicates poverty among economically disadvantaged individuals. Findings The results of the study showed a statistically significant relationship between business education and entrepreneurial intentions. Findings indicated a positive correlation between the variables of business education and business ownership and capability. Lastly, there is strong evidence against the null hypothesis, suggesting there is a statistically significant correlation between the variables of business education and business ownership and entrepreneurial intentions.