Entrepreneurial intention in the students of a public and a private university in Ecuador

Abstract

The research conducted a comparative analysis of the entrepreneurial intention in the students of two higher education institutions in Ecuador, respectively a public and private university. A total of 1507 students participated in an exploratory survey to verify if significant differences among the students of both institutions exist in the desirability, feasibility, and intention to undertake. Results reveal differences in the elements of intentionality between the two samples of students. Additionally, gender only influences the entrepreneurial intention of the students in the private university and family members affect the entrepreneurial intention of the students in the private and public institutions. The study highlights the aspects that educators should emphasize strengthening entrepreneurship programs.