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Beyond entrepreneurship education: business incubation and entrepreneurial capabilities

Kenechukwu Ikebuaku (Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa)
Mulugeta Dinbabo (Institute for Social Development, Faculty of Economic and Management Science, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa)

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

ISSN: 2053-4604

Article publication date: 5 March 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

As a way of dealing with Nigeria’s macroeconomic challenge of unemployment and its concomitant socio-economic problems, the federal government, in 2006, made entrepreneurship study a compulsory course for all higher education students irrespective of their area of specialization. However, studies have shown that the programme is yet to achieve its goals as many Nigerian graduates still remain unemployed long after graduation. Using Sen’s capability approach, this paper aims to investigate business incubation as an effective tool for enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities beyond entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has engaged both quantitative (survey questionnaire) and qualitative methodologies (semi-structured interview).

Findings

The result shows that through business incubation, budding entrepreneurs have increased access to infrastructures and resources necessary for entrepreneurial success, thereby enhancing their real opportunities (capabilities) for success.

Practical implications

For greater effectiveness, business incubation should be integrated into the current entrepreneurship education programme in Nigeria.

Originality/value

This study is a debut of research endeavours which theoretically assess entrepreneurship programmes via the capability approach lens. It has developed a conceptual model for assessing business incubation using the capability approach.

Keywords

Citation

Ikebuaku, K. and Dinbabo, M. (2018), "Beyond entrepreneurship education: business incubation and entrepreneurial capabilities", Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 154-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-03-2017-0022

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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