The impact of workplace placement on students’ entrepreneurial attitude

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of a workplace placement on the student participants’ self-reported entrepreneurial attitude (EA).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of relevant literature informed questions incorporated in the university’s annual feedback questionnaire completed by students (n=461) on return from a work placement of between 44 and 52 weeks.

Findings

The study has shown that both gender and entrepreneurial legacy influence baseline and post-placement EA (p<0.05). The interaction between EA, social learning, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms and perceived relational support was also considered.

Originality/value

This research provides context for further qualitative work in this area, especially the influence of gender and entrepreneurial legacy on reported baseline EA and EA post work placement and will inform pedagogical development in terms of embedding entrepreneurial teaching in future curriculum development at the university.

Citation

Manning, L. and Parrott, P. (2018), "The impact of workplace placement on students’ entrepreneurial attitude", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-05-2017-0030