THE EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND SELF-EFFICACY DIMENSIONS ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The literature on corporate entrepreneurship has discussed the role of entrepreneurship orientation (EO) and self-efficacy in enhancing venture creation and a firm’s growth. In contrast, the effect of EO and self-efficacy on project performance outcomes has been relatively overlooked. In this study, we examine how an individual’s entrepreneurship orientation (IEO), entrepreneurship self-efficacy (ESE), and entrepreneurship management skills (EMS) affect both entrepreneurship projects and non-entrepreneurship projects. Using a sample of 308 observations, our analyses reveal that while various dimensions of IEO, ESE, and EMS can significantly influence project performance, the effect is more pronounced for non-entrepreneurship projects. Furthermore, in all three ESE dimensions, we find that the effect on individual project performance is almost double the effect on team project performance. This implies that individuals consider their efforts and contributions to be more significant than the collective team efforts when completing a group project. This study contributes to the literature by providing a new perspective to assess the effect of each dimension of IEO, ESE, and EMS at both the individual level and the project level. For students, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, this study presents important insights into two areas: the influence of entrepreneurship education on an individual’s performance on individual projects and team projects; and how entrepreneurial characteristics can be nurtured to produce good entrepreneurs and project managers. This is especially significant for emerging countries, where entrepreneurship education plays a key role in supporting economic transition, promoting the private sector, and encouraging the establishment of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).