Abstract
Objectives Given the high unemployment rates being experienced by graduates, the importance of small business start-up has increased significantly, with greater priority being placed upon the development of entrepreneurial skills across the educational sector. However, there is a limited literature considering the student experience and issues involved with supporting non-Business discipline students attaining entrepreneurial competencies. This study explores the attitudes and experience of Sports Development and Sports Management students towards entrepreneurship education highlighting, best practice from a pedagogical perspective. Prior Work There is limited literature discussing the impact and issues involved with the effective delivery of entrepreneurship education in non-Business related disciplines. The existing literature highlights the value and impact of this approach suggesting it should be offered as a core subject across all educational levels (e.g. secondary school, further and higher education). However, there is recognition within the literature that there is a requirement for an extended evidence base across different subject disciplines. Approach One hundred and twenty two Sports Development and Sports Management students on an undergraduate degree were interviewed over a two year period using a semi-structured research instrument. The focus and content of the questionnaire was developed from prior studies undertaken in the field, measuring the impact and value of entrepreneurship education upon attitudes, knowledge and career choice. Results The results found that Sports Development and Sports Management students were typically enterprising by nature due to their prior experience in coaching and training within their respective sports disciplines. The majority of students indicated that they were attracted to a future entrepreneurial career in a sports related discipline. This was driven by the potential of an entrepreneurial career option and the limited alternative choices. Sports Development and Sports Management students were characterised by their mature attitudes towards their career development and future inclination regarding an entrepreneurial career choice. Implications The results will inform the teaching of entrepreneurship education to non-Business discipline specialist students in terms of the effective construction of entrepreneurship curriculum. Best practice in terms of customised subject informed teaching material, guest talks and interactive pedagogical practice are highlighted. Value This study will be of interest to entrepreneurship education providers delivering content to non-Business disciplines at all levels and aid them in the construction of their curriculum to provide fit for purpose provision.
Publication Date
2013-11-13
Event
36th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship conference, Cardiff City Hall
Publisher
ISBE
ISBN
978-1-900862-26-4
Deposit Date
August 2018
Embargo Period
2024-06-06
Organisational Unit
Plymouth Business School
Keywords
Entrepreneurship Education, sports management
Recommended Citation
Jones, A., & Jones, P. (2013) 'Creating entrepreneurial sports management graduates', ISBE: Retrieved from https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/pbs-research/1
