The Role of Innovation in Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset among TVET Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v11i1.849Keywords:
Education. entrepreneurial. mindset. innovation. TVETAbstract
Purpose: This quantitative study explores the relationship between innovation, entrepreneurial education, and entrepreneurial mindset among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, providing insights for educators and policymakers.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Over four months, data were collected from 800 TVET students from ten technical universities in Ghana using a stratified random sampling technique. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings: The findings indicate a significant relationship between innovation and entrepreneurial education, which positively influences the entrepreneurial mindset of TVET students.
Research Limitation: The study is limited by its focus on TVET students in specific technical universities, which may affect the generalizability of the findings to other educational contexts or regions. Future research could expand to include diverse educational settings.
Practical Implication: The results provide evidence-based strategies for curriculum development aimed at fostering innovation and cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets, which educators and policymakers can utilise to enhance TVET programmes.
Social Implication: By promoting an entrepreneurial mindset among TVET students, this study supports broader economic development initiatives, potentially leading to increased job creation and economic growth within communities.
Originality/Value: This research contributes to the existing literature on entrepreneurship education by highlighting the critical role of innovation in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset of TVET students. It fills a gap in understanding how TVET can be optimised for future skills and hands-on training.
References
Adeniyi, A. O. (2023). The mediating effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the relationship between
entrepreneurship education and start-up readiness. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-14.
Anjum, T., Farrukh, M., Heidler, P., & Díaz Tautiva., J. A. (2021) Entrepreneurial Intention: Creativity,
Entrepreneurship, and University Support, Journal Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity 2021, 7, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc7010011
Arthur-Holmes, F., Busia, K. A., Vazquez-Brust, D. A., & Yakovleva, N. (2022). Graduate
unemployment, artisanal and small-scale mining, and rural transformation in Ghana: what does the ‘educated’ youth involvement offer? Journal of Rural Studies, 95, 125-139
Asykin, N., Rasul, M. S., & Othman, N. (2019). Teaching strategies to develop technical
entrepreneurs. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 7(6), 179-195.
Azeem, N., Omar, M. K., Rashid, A. M., & Abdullah, A. (2022). Vocational Self-Efficacy as a
Moderator on the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Students' Interest in TVET Programmes in Pakistan. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 30(4).
Azila-Gbettor, E. M., Mensah, C., Quarshie, A. N. K., & Abiemo, M. K. (2024). Thematic, research
design and theory application of business internship research: a systematic review. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2331270.
Daspit, J. J., & Fox, C., & Findley, S. K. (2023). Entrepreneurial Mindset: An Integrated Definition, A
Review of Current Insights, and Directions for Future Research, Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1): 12-44. DOI: 10.1080/00472778.2021.1907583
Din, B. H., Anuar, A. R., & Usman, M. (2024). The Effectiveness of the Entrepreneurship Education
Program in Upgrading Entrepreneurial Skills among Public University Students, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 224 117 – 123
Ferreira-Neto M. N., De Carvalho Castro J. L., De Sousa-Filho J. M., & De Souza Lessa B. (2023). The
role of self-efficacy, entrepreneurial passion, and creativity in developing entrepreneurial intentions. Front. Psychol. 14:1134618. doi 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1134618, PMID
Gagné, M., Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Self-determination theory applied to work motivation
and organizational behavior. The SAGE Handbook of Industrial, Work & Organizational Psychology: Organizational psychology, 2, 97-121.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2022). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021/2022 Global Report.
Retrieved from https: llwww.gemconsotium.org/report/50401
Gyimah, N. (2020). Assessment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on the
development of the World's Economy: Perspective of Africa, Asia and Europe. Asia and Europe (February 19, 2020).
Hair Jr, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: updated
guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107-123.
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results
of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2-24.
Huei, O., Rus, R., & Kamis, A. (2020). Construct Validity and reliability in content knowledge of design
and technology subject: a Rasch measurement model approaches for pilot study. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci, 10(3), 497-511.
Jiatong, W., Murad M., Bajun, F., Tufail, M. S., Mirza, F. & Rafiq, M. (2021). Impact of Entrepreneurial
Education, Mindset, and Creativity on Entrepreneurial Intention: Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. Frontiers of Psychology, 12: 724440. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.724440
Jimoh, I. O. (2022). Institutional Factors Influencing Employability Skills Acquisition of Business
Education Students in Nigerian Universities (Doctoral dissertation, Kwara State University (Nigeria).
Jin D, Liu X, Zhang F & Wen Z (2023). Entrepreneurial role models and college students’
entrepreneurial calling: A moderated mediation model. Front. Psychol. 14:1129495. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1129495
Jumpah, E. T., Ampadu-Ameyaw, R., & Owusu-Arthur, J. (2020). Youth employment in Ghana:
Economic and social development policies perspective. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 16(4), 413-427.
Kouakou, K. K. E., Li, C., Akolgo, I. G., & Tchamekwen, A. M. (2019). Evolution View of
Entrepreneurial Mindset Theory, International Journal of Business and Social Science, 10(6): 116 – 129. doi:10.30845/ijbss. v10n6p13
Kumar R., & Shukla S. (2022). Creativity, proactive personality and entrepreneurial intentions:
examining the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Glob. Bus. Rev. 23, 101–118. doi: 10.1177/0972150919844395
Leyer, M., Yuan, B., Wang, M., & Moormann, J. (2023). Classroom or online learning? Impact of
experiential learning in business process management education, Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 15(2): 214–234. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2023.15.012
López, F., Contreras, M., Nussbaum, M., Paredes, R., Gelerstein, D., Alvares, D., & Chiuminatto, P.
(2023). Developing Critical Thinking in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Education Sciences, 13(6), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13060590
Mack, A., & Honig, B. (2023). Comparing Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Between
Vocational and Academic Post-secondary Students. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 25151274231211555.
Malawu, N. (2022). The development of students’ entrepreneurial intentions at a TVET
college (Doctoral dissertation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology).
Malawu, N. (2022). The development of students’ entrepreneurial intentions at a TVET
college (Doctoral dissertation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology).
Mbwambo, H., & Magoma, A. (2022). Nexus between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial
intention. African journal of applied research, 8(1), 240-252.
Mei, W. H., & Symaco, L. (2022). University-wide entrepreneurship education in China’s higher
education institutions: Issues and challenges. Studies in Higher Education, 47(1): 177-193
Mensah C., Azila-Gbettor E. M., Nunyonameh C. R., Appietu M. E., & Amedome S. N. (2023).
Research methods anxiety, attitude, self-efficacy, and academic effort: a social cognitive theory perspective. Cogent Psychol. 10:2167503. doi: 10.1080/23311908.2023.2167503
Mothibi, N. H., Malebana, M. J., & Rankhumise, E. M. (2024). Munificent Environment Factors
Influencing Entrepreneurial Intention and Behaviour: The Moderating Role of Risk-Taking Propensity. Administrative Sciences, 14(9), 230.
Nana, R. U. A. (2018). Entrepreneurship education and venture creation potential among Colleges of
Education Graduates in Kano State Nigeria by (Doctoral dissertation, Kampala International University (KIU)
Ncube, T. R., & Matlala, M. E. (2024). The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on the Entrepreneurial
Competences of Students in TVET Colleges In South Africa.
Nkuna, N. J. (2021). Contextual factors influencing women entrepreneurship in Agriculture: a case
study of Nkomazi Local Municipality (Master's thesis).
Noel, E. A. (2023). The impact of entrepreneurship education in developing entrepreneurial intentions
in TVET institutions in Trinidad and Tobago (Doctoral dissertation, Heriot-Watt University).
Ntare, P. C., & Ojwang, E. (2021). An assessment of entrepreneurial intention among college students
in Tanzania. African Journal of Applied Research, 7(2), 30-43.
Nthutang, B. A. K. A. N. G. (2021, November). Causes of low enrolment in ICT-related courses: A case
of TVET colleges in the North West province of South Africa.
Ochieng, G. O., Kiplangat, H. K., & Ngala, F. B. (2020). The relationship between selected
psychological factors and female students’ choice of career in science TVET in technical training institutes in Siaya County, Kenya. Editon Consortium Journal of Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, 2(1), 180-195.
Okoro, J. P., Nassè, T. B., Ngmendoma, A. B., Carbonell, N., & Nanema, M. (2022). Entrepreneurship
education and youth unemployment challenges in Africa: Ghana in perspective. International Journal of management & entrepreneurship Research, 4(5), 213-231.
Omar, M. K., Rauf, M. A., Ismail, N., Rashid, A. M., Puad, H. M., & Zakaria, A. (2020). Factors on
deciding TVET for first choice educational journey among pre-secondary school student. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, 7(3), 609-627.
Peljko, Ž. & Antonˇciˇc, J. A. (2022) Entrepreneurial Curiosity, Innovativeness of the Entrepreneur, and
Company Growth. Behavioral Science, 2022, 12, 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12110424
Pham, M., Thi Nguyen. A. T., Tran, D. T., Mai, T. T., & Nguyen, V. T. (2023). The impact of
entrepreneurship knowledge on students’ e‑entrepreneurial intention formation and the moderating role of technological innovativeness, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12:80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731‑023‑00351‑7
Raduan, N. A. (2021). The Structural Relationship Among Entrepreneurial Learning, Environmental
Support, Self-Efficacy, Orientation and Entrepreneurial Intention of Level 4 TVET Students in Brunei Darussalam Qualification Framework (Doctoral dissertation, 서울대학교 대학원).
Reaz, M. (2022). Entrepreneurship education ecosystems and entrepreneurial career intentions of
university students.
Rivas, P. (2021). Using Project-Based Learning and Technology to Promote Collaboration and
Problem-Solving in Elementary-Aged Students: A Case Study of an After-School Program (Doctoral dissertation).
Rodriguez S., & Lieber H. (2020). Relationship between entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial
mindset, and career readiness in secondary students. J. Exp. Educ. 43, 277–298. doi: 10.1177/1053825920919462
Rofa, N., & Ngah, R. (2022). Entrepreneurial personality traits towards entrepreneurial potential of
TVET students in Malaysia: A PLS-SEM approach. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal (AEJ), 8(3), 63-80.
Salleh, K. M., & Sulaiman, N. L. (2020). Reforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) on workplace learning and skills development. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 8(5), 2964-2967.
Saoula, O., Shamim, A., Ahmad, M. J., & Abid, M. F. (2023). Do entrepreneurial self-efficacy,
Entrepreneurial motivation, and family support enhance entrepreneurial intention? The mediating role of entrepreneurial education. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 17(1): 20-45. doi:10.1108/apjie-06-2022-0055
Shankar, A. U., Tewari, V., Rahman, M., Amitabh Mishra, A., & Bajaj, J. J. (2023). Impact of Virtual
Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Education, TuijinJishu/Journal of Propulsion Technology, 44(4): 1310 – 1318
Shao, S., Zhang, H., Fan, M., Su, B., Wu, J., Zhang, M., ... & Gao, C. (2021). Spatial variability-based
sample size allocation for stratified sampling. Catena, 206, 105509.
Singh, R., Kumar, V., Singh, S., Dwivedi, A., & Kumar, S. (2024). Measuring the impact of digital
entrepreneurship training on entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of entrepreneurial competencies. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 16(1), 142-163.
Toncheva-Zlatkova, V. (2018). Learning by Doing: Insights from Project-Based Teaching.
In International conference “Studies-Business-Society: present and future insights IV “, Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences, Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija (pp. 103-114).
Viebig, C. (2023). Learning Entrepreneurship: How Capabilities Shape Learning from Experience,
Reflection, and Action. Copenhagen Business School [Phd]. PhD Series No. 07.2023 https://doi.org/10.22439/phd.07.2023
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 AFRICAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
By submitting and publishing your articles in the African Journal of Applied Research, you agree to transfer the copyright of the Article from the authors to the Journal ( African Journal of Applied Research).
