What Support Can Higher Learning Institutions Provide to Motivate Students to Engagement in Self-Employment? Evidence from Tanzania

Abstract

Numbers of universities are increasing in developing economies. With a rise on the universities in developing economies, there is a call for more research on the role of universities in developing entrepreneurs. This article aimed at understanding the kind of support, which university students in developing economies need to engage in self-employment. The study recruited 230 students, who were provided with questionnaires during class sessions. Students were allowed to carry questionnaires and fill them in their hostels. After two weeks, the questionnaires were collected through the assistance of class representatives. Likert scale was used in the questionnaire with 5-point itemized scale. Factor analysis technique and varimax rotation method were employed for data analysis. Scree plot was used to evaluate the number of factors significant for the study. Four factors namely business education support, compulsory training, resource support and moral support loaded significantly. The results of the study can inform the ways in which university students want their institutions to assist them to become entrepreneurs.