Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions of Youths In Zambia: The Mediating Roles of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy And Entrepreneurial Attitudes

Austin  Mwange; Windu  Matoka; Clive  Noombo; Kampamba  Chibesa

doi:10.59413/ajocs/v6.i.1.7

Authors

Austin Mwange The University of Zambia, Graduate School of Business, Lusaka, Zambia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8568-3063 (unauthenticated)
Windu Matoka ZCAS University, School of Business, Lusaka, Zambia Author
Clive Noombo The University of Zambia, Institute of Distance Education, Zambia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0866-9863 (unauthenticated)
Kampamba Chibesa The University of Zambia, Institute of Distance Education, Zambia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v6.i.1.7

Keywords:

Entrepreneurship education, Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, Entrepreneurial intentions, Entrepreneurial attitudes, Youths, Zambia

Abstract

The empirical study evaluated the impacts of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions among youths in Zambia and the mediating roles of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes. The quantitative methodology was employed using data gathered through survey questionnaires. Data was analyzed using the SEM-PLS technique via the SmartPLS 4 software. The findings revealed significant direct effects of entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitudes on EI. However, the effects of entrepreneurial attitudes on entrepreneurial intentions were negative. In addition, the study revealed significant mediating effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes on entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions, where the latter had negative mediating effects. Overall, the study revealed significant negative mediating effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurship education. The study concluded that exposure of youths in Zambia to entrepreneurship education can aid in stimulating entrepreneurial intentions through entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitudes. The study recommended interventions by the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts to be put in place that promote participation of youths in EE as well as ensuring increased accessibility of EE among the youths.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.

Ajzen, I. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Frequently asked questions. Human behavior and emerging technologies, 2(4), 314-324.

Al-Qadasi, N., Zhang, G., Al-Jubari, I., Al-Awlaqi, M. A., & Aamer, A. M. (2024). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behaviour: Do self-efficacy and attitude matter? The International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100945-955.

Amani, D., Ismail, I. J., Makona, A., Changalima, I. A., & Kazungu, I. (2024). Extending the mediation role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on enhancing students’ entrepreneurial intentions: A moderated mediation model. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100915-925.

Bae, T. J., Qian, S., Miao, C., & Fiet, J. O. (2014). The relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: A meta–analytic review. Entrepreneurship theory and practice, 38(2), 217-254.

Bandura, A. (1978). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Advances in behaviour research and therapy, 1(4), 139-161.

Becker, G.S. (1975). Human capital. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Bird, B. (1988). Implementing entrepreneurial ideas: the case for intention. Acad. Manag. Rev. 13, 442–453.

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2015). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.

Chen, C. C., Greene, P. G., & Crick, A. (1998). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy distinguish entrepreneurs from managers? J. Bus. Ventur. 13, 295–316.

Chigunta, F., & Mwanza, V. (2016). Measuring and promoting youth entrepreneurship in Zambia. In Young entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 48-58). Routledge.

Esfandiar, K., Sharifi-Tehrani, M., Pratt, S., & Altinay, L. (2019). Understanding entrepreneurial intentions: A developed integrated structural model approach. Journal of Business Research, 94, 172-182.

Fergusson, R., & Yeates, N. (2021). Global youth unemployment: History, governance and policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Fomba-Kamga, B., Talla Fokam, D. N. D., & Ningaye, P. (2022). Political instability and youths unemployment in sub‐Saharan Africa. Review of Development Economics, 26(3), 1850-1879.

Gao, Y., & Qin, X. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention of Chinese college students: Evidence from a moderated multi-mediation model. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 1049232-242.

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2013). Multivariate data analysis: Pearson new international edition PDF eBook. Pearson Higher Ed.

Hattenberg, D. Y., Belousova, O., & Groen, A. J. (2021). Defining the entrepreneurial mindset and discussing its distinctiveness in entrepreneurship research. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 44(1), 30–52.

Herta, A. (2018). Entrepreneurship education as the molding of entrepreneurial attitudes: a case study. Education+ Training, 3(1), 11-23.

Hoang, G., Le, T. T. T., Tran, A. K. T., & Du, T. (2020). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Vietnam: the mediating roles of self-efficacy and learning orientation. Education+ Training, 63(1), 115-133.

International Labour Organization (ILO) (2024). Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 Sub-Saharan Africa. [online]. Available at: https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/Sub-Saharan%20Africa%20GET%20Youth%202024_0.pdf (Accessed: 12 January 2025).

Isiaka, S. B., Osanyinlusi, G. E., & Adebayo, P. O. (2023). Impact of Nigerian University Entrepreneurship Education Programme on Venture Creation: A Review. African Journal of Management and Business Research, 11(1), 156-172.

Jiatong, W., Murad, M., Bajun, F., Tufail, M. S., Mirza, F., & Rafiq, M. (2021). Impact of entrepreneurial education, mindset, and creativity on entrepreneurial intention: mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 724440-450.

Johnson, J., & Mathew, S. K. (2017). Entrepreneurial attitudes and their influence on the Entrepreneurial Intention. Asian Journal of Research in Business Economics and Management, 7(8), 261-274.

Khalil, H., Hashim, K. F., Rababa, M., & Atallah, S. (2024). Shaping the entrepreneurial mindset: Exploring the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions among university students in the UAE: The mediating role of individual entrepreneurial orientation. International Journal of Educational Research, 127, 102430-441.

Kock, F., Berbekova, A., & Assaf, A. G. (2021). Understanding and managing the threat of common method bias: Detection, prevention and control. Tourism Management, 86, 104330-340.

Krueger, N. F. (2017). Entrepreneurial intentions are dead: Long live entrepreneurial intentions. Revisiting the entrepreneurial mind: Inside the black box: An expanded edition. Springer.

Leger, M., Arsenijevic, J., & Bosma, N. (2025). The role and effectiveness of non-formal training programmes for entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 37(1-2), 214-247.

Liñán, F., Ceresia, F., & Bernal, A. (2018). Who intends to enroll in entrepreneurship education? Entrepreneurial self-identity as a precursor. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 1(3), 222-242.

Liu, Y., Li, M., Li, X., & Zeng, J. (2022). Entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: The moderating role of the personality and family economic status. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 978480-490.

Malebana, M. J., & Swanepoel, E. (2014). The relationship between exposure to entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial self-effi cacy. Southern African Business Review, 18(1), 1-26.

Matoka, W., & Mwange, A. (2024). Entrepreneurship Education and Its Impact on Informal Sector Development in Zambia: A Theoretical Perspective. African Journal of Commercial Studies, 5(4), 265-272.

Matos, C. M., Lizote, S. A., Teston, S. F., Zawadzki, P., & Guerra, M. C. A. G. (2020). Entrepreneurial education influence on the development of self-efficacy and entrepreneurial competences. Revista de Administração da UFSM, 13, 1551-1570.

McNally, J. J., Martin, B. C., Honig, B., Bergmann, H., & Piperopoulos, P. (2016). Toward rigor and parsimony: a primary validation of Kolvereid’s (1996) entrepreneurial attitudes scales. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 28(5-6), 358-379.

Mir, A. A., Hassan, S., & Khan, S. J. (2023). Understanding digital entrepreneurial intentions: A capital theory perspective. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 18(12), 6165-6191.

Moberg, K. (2013). An entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale with a neutral wording. In Conceptual richness and methodological diversity in entrepreneurship research (pp. 67-94). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Mwatsika, C., & Sankhulani, E. (2016). Effect of entrepreneurship education on students’ orientation towards entrepreneurship at the Malawi Polytechnic. International Journal of Business and Economics Research, 5(6), 235-245.

Ndlovu, S. G., Radebe, T. N., Mlambo, V. H., & D Nkonde, S. (2024). Contextualising Entrepreneurship As A Panacea To Youth Unemployment In South Africa. Prizren Social Science Journal, 8(1), 48-57.

Nursyirwan, V. I., Purwana, D., Suhud, U., Harahap, I. L. P., & Valentika, N. (2022). Entrepreneurial intention among students: The effect of self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude. Jurnal Pendidikan Ekonomi Dan Bisnis (JPEB), 10(2), 193-205.

Otache, I., Edopkolor, J. E., Sani, I. A., & Umar, K. (2024). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions: Do entrepreneurial self-efficacy, alertness and opportunity recognition matter? The International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100917-100927.

Rakhmadiningrum, P., Soetjipto, B. E., & Rahayu, W. P. (2021). The Influence of Adversity Quotient, Entrepreneurial Environment, and Entrepreneurial Attitudes on Entrepreneurial Intentions on Students in Malang. International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 24(4), 140-147.

Ren, Z, Li, P. & Li, Y. (2018). The Relationship between Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Intention. 2018 International Conference on Management Science and Engineering (ICMSE), Frankfurt, Germany, 2018, pp. 517-522,

Republic of Zambia (2022). Eighth National Development Plan (2022-2026): Socio-Economic Transformation for Improved Livelihoods. Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Lusaka, Zambia.

Republic of Zambia (2024). 2024 National Youth Policy: Accelerating Youth Participation and Empowerment in Zambia. Ministry Of Youth, Sport and Arts, Lusaka, Zambia.

Ribeiro, M., & Fernandes, A. (2020). Impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the intention to create a new business: a cross-sectional study in Portuguese higher education students. In INTED2020 Proceedings (pp. 8418-8424). IATED.

Santos, S. C., & Liguori, E. W. (2020). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intentions: Outcome expectations as mediator and subjective norms as moderator. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(3), 400-415.

Simuyemba, C. (2022). The Effects of Youth Unemployment On Economic Growth In Zambia From 1991-2021 (Doctoral dissertation, Cavendish University).

Thelma, C. C., Sylvester, C., & Ngulube, L. (2024). An investigation into the implementation of self-reliant and entrepreneurial education in selected Zambian Universities. International Journal of Research, 11(7), 77-96.

Wang, X. H., You, X., Wang, H. P., Wang, B., Lai, W. Y., & Su, N. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: mediation of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and moderating model of psychological capital. Sustainability, 15(3), 2562.

Wardana, L. W., Narmaditya, B. S., Wibowo, A., Mahendra, A. M., Wibowo, N. A., Harwida, G., & Rohman, A. N. (2020). The impact of entrepreneurship education and students' entrepreneurial mindset: the mediating role of attitude and self-efficacy. Heliyon, 6(9), 1-10.

World Economic Forum (WEF) (2024). 5 charts that show the state of global youth employment in 2024 [online]. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/08/global-youth-employment-future-jobs/ (Accessed: 12 January 2025).

Wu, L., Jiang, S., Wang, X., Yu, L., Wang, Y., & Pan, H. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions of college students: The mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the moderating role of entrepreneurial competition experience. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 727826-836.

Yamane, T. (1970). Statistics-Introductory Analysis. Hill.

Yangailo, T. (2024). Youth Unemployment in Zambia: Analyzing the Impact of Economic Growth and Development Policies on Employment Trends. Economia Aziendale Online-, 15(3), 497-506.

Yaqub, M. K., Mufti, N. A., Ali, S., & Khaleeq, M. U. (2015). Impact of entrepreneurship education on attitudes of students towards entrepreneurship. Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences, 11, 590-595.

Yun, C. (2010). Does entrepreneurship education matter students' entrepreneurial intention? A Chinese perspective. In The 2nd International Conference on Information Science and Engineering (pp. 2776-2779). IEEE.

ZSA (2022). 2022 Census Of Population And Housing. [online]. Available at: https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2022-Census-of-Population-and-Housing-Preliminary.pdf (Accessed: 12 January 2025).