The Role of Entrepreneurial Education in Shaping University Students’ Intentions Toward Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is an important component for economic growth, innovation and job creation. In today’s rapidly evolving economy, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among young individuals has become crucial to addressing the challenges of youth unemployment. University students, as future contributors to society, represent a key demographic for cultivating entrepreneurial intentions and skills. Entrepreneurial education plays an important role in this process, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to navigate the uncertainties of starting and managing a business. In the global market where technology is advancing rapidly, entrepreneurial education is more important than ever to prepare students for a dynamic and complex workforce. This research study examines the role of entrepreneurial education in shaping the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Albania. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework, the study investigates how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control as key components of the framework interact with entrepreneurial education to influence students’ intentions to start a business. This study is unique for the Albanian context, where research on the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions remains limited. This research gener-ates empirical evidence of the usefulness of the theory of planned behavior in explaining entrepreneurial intention. The results suggest that tailored educational programs can contribute to the development of entrepreneurial intentions among university students. This study emphasizes the critical role of education in nurturing future entrepreneurs and highlights the need for universities and policymakers to prioritize entrepreneurial education as part of their academic curricula. By investing in education that fosters critical thinking about business in general, Albania can empower its youth to new employment opportunities, ensuring a sustainable future.