How Entrepreneurial Education and Environment Affect Entrepreneurial Readiness of STEM and Business Students? A Longitudinal Study

Zoran Rakićević; Jovana Rakićević; Jelena Anđelković Labrović; Brankica Ljamić-Ivanović

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.33.4.30244

Authors

Zoran Rakićević Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Jovana Rakićević Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Jelena Anđelković Labrović Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Brankica Ljamić-Ivanović Sinhronia d.o.o., Republic of Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.33.4.30244

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial readiness, Entrepreneurial intention, Entrepreneurial education, Entrepreneurial environment, Entrepreneurial learning, factors, STEM students, Business students, Developing country

Abstract

This paper explores how entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial environment affect entrepreneurial readiness (ER) of students from Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and business, i.e., economics and management (E&M) studies. Moreover, it examines how the combination of the aforementioned factors affect the difference in ER between STEM and E&M students. The evaluation is performed on the sample of 595 university students. The results show that two sources of entrepreneurial learning, entrepreneurial experience in the family environment and entrepreneurial education at university, combined with the field of studies represent significant factors that predetermine students’ ER. To be able to reach the highest level of ER, the combination of having entrepreneurial environment and entrepreneurial education is crucial for both E&M and STEM students. However, since E&M students show higher level of ER, the paper emphasises the importance of fostering systemic entrepreneurial education among STEM students.

Author Biographies

Zoran Rakićević, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

Zoran Rakićević is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Department for Production and Services Management. He got his PhD in Information systems and quantitative management at the same University. His research interests are in the fields of Entrepreneurship and management of SMEs. Zoran published more than 10 scientific papers in international journals and 30 papers in proceedings of international conferences. He is a reviewer in Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Management: Journal of Sustainable Business and Management Solutions in Emerging Economies; and an active member of the Serbian Supply Chain Professionals’ Association.

Jovana Rakićević, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

Jovana Rakićević is a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Department for Management of Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development. She is currently pursuing Ph.D. degree at the same University. Her research and teaching interest are in the fields of technology and innovation management and technology entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and transfer, and entrepreneurial ecosystem support. Mrs. Rakićević is an author and co-author of 5 chapters in international monographs and over 50 scientific papers in domestic and international journals and conference proceedings. She is an active member of the Triple Helix Association.

Jelena Anđelković Labrović, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia

Jelena Andjelković Labrović is an assistant professor at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Department of Human Resources Management. She is teaching the following subjects: Training and Development, E-learning, Human Resource Management and International Human Resource Management. She is author of co-author of many research papers (45), and her particular interest is in education management and e-learning. She has participated in the implementation of several projects in companies in the field of human resource management as a consultant or researcher. She is also a certified executive coach (AoEC and EMCC).

Brankica Ljamić-Ivanović, Sinhronia d.o.o., Republic of Serbia

Brankica Ljamić, Ph.D., is an educated psychologist and entrepreneur with extensive experience in providing support to executives. Brankica works as an accredited NLP trainer and ICF (International Coach Federation) master certified coach focused on individual and business team coaching services in strategic business issues, life-work balance and state management. Brankica finished PhD studies at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade. Brankica is also director of ICF ACSTH program "Coaching for Active Preeminence" (CAP) and the owner of consultancy agency Sinhronia.