Impacts of entrepreneurship education on brazilian undergraduate students: An empirical study comparing compulsory and elective disciplines

Carlos Arruda; Ana Burcharth; Erika Penido Barcellos; Samara Paganini Lourencini

doi:10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2443

Authors

Carlos Arruda arruda@fdc.org.br
Fundação Dom Cabral (FDC), Nova Lima, MG, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1305-2259
Ana Burcharth ana.burcharth@fdc.org.br
Fundação Dom Cabral (FDC), Nova Lima, MG, Brasil and Aarhus University, Department of Management (AU), Aarhus, Dinamarca
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9921-5188
Erika Penido Barcellos erikapbarcellos@outlook.com
Betânia Tanure Associados (BTA), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1479-2366
Samara Paganini Lourencini samarapaganini@gmail.com
Delloite, Vitória, ES, Brazil
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4107-1959

DOI:

10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2443

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial Education, Teaching Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Objective of the study: This study assesses the impact of entrepreneurial education on students of entrepreneurship courses at the undergraduate level of Brazilian universities. Methodology: The methodology adopted was pre/post based on the collection of primary survey data among 398 entrepreneurship students of 10 undergraduate courses from six Brazilian universities, involving twelve professors. Data analysis was performed using confirmatory factor analysis and paired t-tests to compare means. Main results: Entrepreneurship elective courses have a greater positive impact (especially for entrepreneurial attitudes, perceived behavioral control and entrepreneurial intention) for undergraduate students, when compared to mandatory courses, which negatively impacted entrepreneurial attitudes, perceived behavioral control and entrepreneurial intention. Theoretical / methodological contributions: The development of a framework to analyze the impact of entrepreneurial education based on the recent entrepreneurship literature representing an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior that includes entrepreneurial knowledge and competencies. Relevance / originality: The application of a rigorous methodology (pre/post intervention) with application of paired t-tests and the comparison between elective and mandatory entrepreneurship courses in large database.

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Author Biographies

Carlos Arruda, Fundação Dom Cabral (FDC), Nova Lima, MG, Brasil

is associate professor at Fundação Dom Cabral and XL Center - Center for Innovation, Excellence and Leadership. He also acts as an associate consultant to the Cambridge Family Enterprise Group. President of the Conselho da Biominas, he is part of the Conselho da Riva Incorporadora and Salesforce. He has a PhD from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, a Master's Degree in Administration from the UFMG and a Graduation in Engineering from the UFMG.

Ana Burcharth, Fundação Dom Cabral (FDC), Nova Lima, MG, Brasil and Aarhus University, Department of Management (AU), Aarhus, Dinamarca

is a full-time professor at Fundação Dom Cabral and a visiting professor at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. She serves as adjunct coordinator of the Professional Master in Administration (MPA) at Fundação Dom Cabral. She completed her Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Aarhus in 2011. In addition, he studied at the Carlos III University of Madrid (sandwich doctorate), at the University of Aalborg (Msc. Knowledge, Innovation and Economic Dynamics), University of Nottingham (exchange) and Federal University of Minas Gerais (BA Economic Sciences).

Erika Penido Barcellos, Betânia Tanure Associados (BTA), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

is a consultant at BTA (Betania Tanure e Associados), a consultancy in Business Development, Health and Organizational Vitality, with a focus on Culture and Leadership. integrated approach of theory and practice on strategic management, innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalization of Brazilian companies. Her great motivation is the view that her work has contributed to the development of Brazilian society. Co-author of several books and articles, she holds a degree in civil engineering from UFMG, a specialization in international business from FDC, a master's degree in administration from USP and an MBA with high honors from Boston University.

Samara Paganini Lourencini, Delloite, Vitória, ES, Brazil

is an Innovation and Ventures consultant at Delloite. Graduated in Civil Engineering from UFMG, she held positions as Head of Product and Leader of Communities at GlobalTouch. She led the team dedicated to Training Community Leaders, using design sprint and agile methodologies. She was also responsible for leading the community towards innovation, such as at the Base27 Innovation Hub. She began her journey in innovation at FDC (Fundação Dom Cabral), where she carried out research covering the themes of innovation, social entrepreneurship and impact.

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