Development of Entrepreneurial Attributes: A Case Study of Undergraduates in BSc Agribusiness Management Degree Program

A. L. Sandika¹, Walimuni Chamindri Sewanka Mendis Abeysekara¹, I. W. Senevirathna², P. C. Sandarenu³  
(1. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka;
2. General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Hambantota, Sri Lanka; 3. Coconut Cultivation Board, Sri Lanka)

Abstract: Economists describe entrepreneurship in diverse ways. Some economists believe entrepreneur is a person who is willing to bear the risk of a new venture if there is a potential to make profit. Others define entrepreneurs as innovators. However, most of economists agree that entrepreneurship plays a vital role in stimulating economic growth and generating employment opportunities in all societies. Therefore government should generate new policies to foster entrepreneurship as it is an essential for job creation and economic growth. If government introduces appropriate programs to develop entrepreneurial characteristics (EnC) of undergraduates, it will help to develop job creators rather than job seekers. One such course is BSc Agribusiness Management (BSc ABM) degree program introduced by Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the development of EnC of students and to identify the student’s attitudes towards entrepreneurship. 27, 41, 28 and 36 final, third, second and first year BSc ABM undergraduates, respectively were selected randomly as sample to collect data. Data were collected by administrating a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that the final and third year students have illustrated high EnC as compared to first and second year students. Further, third and final year students showed the strong managerial competencies and higher desire for independency than first and second year students while there was no significant differences between first year to final year students regarding key personal attributes, creativity, need for achievement and self-confidence. Moreover, final year students possess the highest risk taking ability among the sample. An attempt was made to identify the students’ wiliness of new venture creation. It was observed that 41%, 68%, 29% and 25% final, third, second and first year undergraduates, respectively prefer to start own business after graduation. Majority prefer to find a job in an existing organization. The study will be supportive to recognize attitudes toward entrepreneurship among the undergraduates and will provide suggestions for increasing the role of universities in improving student’s entrepreneurial characteristics and developing policies in order to inspire entrepreneurial initiatives among students.

Key words: agribusiness management; entrepreneurship; key attributes; undergraduates

JEL codes: M13