Exploring entrepreneurial conceptions, beliefs and intentions of Greek graduates

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify entrepreneurial conceptions and beliefs of Greek graduates, comparing science and economics graduates and nascent entrepreneurs to general population samples. Differences in conceptions are further examined as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilizes a 34-item questionnaire for a graduates’ survey in a science and an economics department (n=413). The questions concern five major subjects of entrepreneurial thinking: conceptualizing entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial success factors, motivation, risk management and business financing. Entrepreneurial intention is identified through a six-item scale. Structural equation model is used to retrieve an explanatory pattern for the present variables and data. Findings – Greek science and economics graduates typically exhibit differences in beliefs that downsize through entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurial nascence is supported by personal competencies, self-confidence, planning capacities and adoption of an entrepreneurial style. Beyond expected dependencies on personal entrepreneurial competencies, motives, organizational skills and other subjective beliefs, possible misapprehension of entrepreneurial notions were found to reduce the entrepreneurial intention. The latter result differentiates nascent entrepreneurs from latent ones. Research limitations/implications – Limitations concern the full representation of Greek universities, the representation of science disciplines and the exhaustive representation of the spectrum of beliefs associated with business venturing. Practical implications – Findings have direct implications for entrepreneurship education and educational policies. This is because beliefs are cognitive structures which can be altered through effective education and counseling methods. Social implications – Findings reflect socio-economic influences on young potential entrepreneurs in Greece during the debt crisis. Originality/value – The paper originally contributes to the survey of entrepreneurial beliefs in Greece. Beliefs are thought culture and field of study specific, and thus, the paper not only covers a gap in literature for the Greek population, but also adds comparative analyses between: science/economics graduates and the nascent entrepreneurs/general population. In this way, it seeks the origin of different beliefs and also attempts a consistent examination of their relations into relevant conceptualizations as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Comparisons between economics and science students are scarce in the literature offering insights toward the interdisciplinary fostering of entrepreneurial mindsets.

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