The influencing role of social capital on the attitude and behaviour of students towards entrepreneurship

Project Abstract

Social capital has been recognized as a significant factor influencing various aspects of individuals' lives, including their attitudes and behaviors towards entrepreneurship. This research project aims to explore the influencing role of social capital on the attitudes and behaviors of students towards entrepreneurship. The study will investigate how different dimensions of social capital, such as networks, relationships, and trust, impact students' perceptions of entrepreneurship and their inclination to engage in entrepreneurial activities. The research will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on students' social capital, attitudes towards entrepreneurship, and actual entrepreneurial behaviors. The quantitative surveys will be distributed among a sample of students from diverse academic backgrounds to assess their social capital levels and entrepreneurial intentions. The qualitative interviews will provide in-depth insights into the specific mechanisms through which social capital influences students' attitudes and behaviors towards entrepreneurship. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute to the existing literature by shedding light on the complex interplay between social capital and entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors among students. By identifying the key factors within social capital that shape students' perceptions of entrepreneurship, policymakers and educators can develop targeted interventions to nurture a more entrepreneurial mindset among students. Furthermore, the study aims to provide practical recommendations for educational institutions on how to leverage social capital resources to foster an entrepreneurial culture on campus. Overall, this research project seeks to advance our understanding of the role of social capital in shaping individuals' attitudes and behaviors towards entrepreneurship, particularly among student populations. By examining the multifaceted nature of social capital and its implications for entrepreneurial activities, this study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders interested in promoting entrepreneurship among students. Ultimately, the research findings are expected to inform the development of more effective strategies to cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem within educational settings and empower students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures with confidence and resilience.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY</strong></p><p>In recent times the practice and the growth of entrepreneurship has increased overtime in Nigeria; the practice is not only found on the street but also in most of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.</p><p>Entrepreneurial activity is usually seen as a kind of social process that is embedded in networks of interpersonal relationships; according to (McKeever, Anderson &amp; Jack 2014; Stephan &amp; Uhlaner 2010).</p><p>According to (Hampton, Cooper &amp; McGowan 2009; Klyver 2007; Cruickshank &amp; Rolland 2006; Davidsson &amp; Honig2003) stated that these social network promote entrepreneurial activity simply by facilitating the efforts of most entrepreneurs starting new ventures and enhancing the performance of their venture.</p><p>It is evident in the works of (Cruickshank &amp; Rolland 2006; Lin 2005), that social network are vital in building social capital and social capital is the outcome of social relationships that is created and maintained through social interactions.</p><p>Social capital is according De Carolis, Litzky &amp; Eddleston (2009:530) “the goodwill and resources that is usually emanated from an individual network of social relationships. Information sharing among the members of the network, influence, solidarity benefits and relations to other actors are what constitutes social capital according to (Kwon &amp; Adler 2014).</p><p>According to (Hampton et al. 2009; Newbert, Tornikoski &amp; Quigley 2013) states that these social networks are vital throughout the various stages of the venture life-cycle and aid the entrepreneur social support and resources from pre-start up to a stage of stability of the venture.</p><p>Take the academic environment for instance; the influence of peer group on behavior of students is usually high. The academic environment is a site for social interactions and social networking among friends, group which might be study group.</p><p>The behavior of student towards entrepreneurship is a two ways things depending on the peer group; peer group with interest in entrepreneurship tend to influence others interest in entrepreneurship and vice versa.</p><p>Peer group among other form of social capital is regarded as the most pronounced form of social capital. Peer group is usually found in all institution ranging from primary to tertiary although the influence is noticeable in the tertiary institutions. It is to this regard that the researcher wishes to use federal university of Oye Ekiti students as the case study to examine the influencing role of social capital on the attitude and behavior of students towards entrepreneurship.</p><p><strong>1.2 &nbsp; STATEMENT OF PROBLEM</strong></p><p>What really instigated the study was the negative attitude of students towards entrepreneurship as a result of disunity among student in federal university of Oye Ekiti which resulted to poor social capital. It is evident that the major cause of disunity among the students is the effect of cultism and other social vices as a result there has been a poor social networking among students.</p><p><strong>1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY</strong></p><p>The main aim of the research work is to examine the influencing role of social capital on the attitude and behavior of students towards entrepreneurship. Other specific objectives of the study include:</p><ol><li>To examine the effect of social capital on the attitude of student towards entrepreneurship</li><li>To examine the role of peer group in the acceptance of entrepreneurship among students</li><li>To investigate on other factors affecting the behavior of students towards entrepreneurship</li><li>To proffer solution to above stated problems</li></ol><p><strong>1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS</strong></p><p>The study came up with the following research questions in order to ascertain the above objectives. The specific research questions are stated below as follows:</p><ol><li>What is the effect of social capital on the attitude of student towards entrepreneurship?</li><li>What are the roles of peer group in the acceptance of entrepreneurship among students?</li><li>What are the factors affecting the behavior of students towards entrepreneurship?</li></ol><p><strong>1.5 RESEACH HYPOTHESIS</strong></p><p>H0: there is no significant relationship between social capital and the behavior of students towards entrepreneurship</p><p>H1: there is significant relationship between social capital and the behavior of students towards entrepreneurship</p><p><strong>1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY</strong></p><p>The study will be of immense benefit to students and management in federal university of Oye Ekiti, the study will also benefit the students in the influence of peer group and the importance of social capital. Finally the study will be of great benefit to other researchers that wishes to carryout similar research on the above topic.</p><p><strong>1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>The study influencing role of social capital on the attitude and behavior of students towards entrepreneurship is limited to federal university of Oye Ekiti</p><p><strong>REFERENCES</strong></p><p>Adler, P.S. &amp; Kwon, S. 2002. ‘Social capital: Prospects for a new concept’, Academy of Management Review, 27(1): 17–40. Ajzen, I. 2005. Attitudes, Personality and Behavior (2nd edition). Berkshire, England: Open University Press. Anderson, A.R. &amp; Miller, C.J. 2003. ‘Class matters: Human and social capital in the entrepreneurial process’, Journal of Socio-Economics, 32: 17–36. Anderson, A., Park, J. &amp; Jack, S. 2007. ‘Entrepreneurial social capital: Conceptualising social capital in new high-tech firms’, International Small Business Journal, 25(3): 245–272. Arenius, P. &amp; Minniti, M. 2005. ‘Perceptual variables and nascent entrepreneurship’, Small Business Economics, 24: 233–247.</p> <br><p></p>