Accounting vs. Engineering, & Information Technology Students’ Entrepreneurial Learning Mindset: A Characteristics framework

Abstract

This prediction study focuses on students’ perception of the characteristics which constitutes an “entrepreneurial learning mindset[1] (ELM)” that could be used to promote learning in college. Survey data of 167 students in seven undergraduate courses were analyzed, using Descriptive statistics; General linear modeling; and Multivariate tests. Surprisingly, we found accounting and business majors’ ELM did not correlate significantly to the classical concepts of entrepreneurship, but rather to the social characteristics, such as positive attitudes, self-confidence, and dynamic outlook. We found information technology (IT) and computer science (CS) majors perceive personality traits such as desires and motivation to accomplish, correlates to their ELM. Engineering and architecture majors’ ELM correlated more to the classical concept of entrepreneurship, such as owning a business and innovation, than accounting, business, IT and or CS. Regardless of majors, students perceive an entrepreneurial minded learning context is required to help them develop and maintain their ELM.

[1] Entrepreneurial learning mindset (ELM) An entrepreneurial mindset is defined for this study as the ability for students to use characteristics such as personal initiatives, opportunities, and preferences, etc., and contexts poised for improving the quality of their learning, and to clearly think about and define their learning goals.