INTERPLAY OF STUDENT INTENDED CAREER PATHS AND UNIVERSITY ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPED, TRANSITION, AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES

Abstract

To explain the evolution of student entrepreneurship, this paper investigates how student intended career paths interrelate with university entrepreneurial environment in three country groups: developed economies, economies in transition, and developing economies. Empirical analysis is built on data of the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS), collected in 2018. Selected sample comprises of 198426 students from 31 countries, from which 15 are developed economies, 2 – economies in transition, and 14 – developing economies. Business creation related career aspirations, ongoing entrepreneurial activities, and university entrepreneurial environment are examined using statistical analysis methods for evaluating the association between distinguished country groups and entrepreneurial characteristics of students. According to results obtained, statistically significant differences exist among students from countries of different economic development level. Students in developing economies and economies in transition have considerably greater aspirations towards entrepreneurial career and activities. They also evaluate the courses on entrepreneurship and university entrepreneurial environment significantly more favourably than students in developed countries do. Students in less developed regions are also those who more frequently choose entrepreneurship specific education, which suggests that they more actively leverage university offerings to realise their higher entrepreneurial aspirations.