Entrepreneurial intention among youths: The role of entrepreneurial education and passion

Abstract

Background: Entrepreneurship contributes significantly to the enhancement and maintenance of a society’s economy by creating employment opportunities in both public and private sectors. South Africa faces significant economic challenges, with high youth unemployment rates necessitating innovative solutions to drive economic growth and job creation. Entrepreneurship, particularly supported through targeted education, offers a strategic pathway to address these issues.

Aim: Drawing from the entrepreneurial potential model, this article assessed the impact of entrepreneurial education (ED) and entrepreneurial passion on the entrepreneurial intentions of youths.

Setting: The study was conducted in King Cetshwayo District Municipality, located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Methods: Data were gathered from 400 respondents from the study area using a structured questionnaire and a simple random sampling strategy. The research used partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationship between study constructs.

Results: The findings indicate a substantial positive association between ED, entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial intention, from which an empirical model was built.

Conclusion: The results show the significance of ED and entrepreneurial passion in supporting the entrepreneurial mindset among youths before their engagement in entrepreneurial activities. Thus, highlighting the importance of implementing entrepreneurship-focussed initiatives to encourage job creation and economic resilience among South African youth.

Contribution: The results provide valuable insights for policymakers in South Africa and decision-makers in higher education institutions, stressing the necessity for targeted programmes (such as business incubators, practical workshops and seminars) to enrich youth entrepreneurship. This will stimulate enhanced economic development.