ABSTRACT

This study investigated the students’ innovation and entrepreneurship skills, their motivations for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as their engagement in entrepreneurial activities. The participants were 213 students from Guangdong Industry Polytechnic College. Using a mixed research design employing both quantitative and qualitative approach, the research explored the participants’ levels of innovation and entrepreneurship skills and the extent of their engagement in entrepreneurial activities when grouped by gender, grade level and major/program of study. It also looked into the participants’ level of motivation as well as their problems and challenges. Further, it investigated the relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation skills and the variables motivation and extent of engagement in entrepreneurial activities. Results showed that all the dimensions of innovation and entrepreneurship skills and motivation were all rated as high. They also rated their extent of engagement in entrepreneurial activities as great. There were noted significant differences in the participants’ level of innovation and entrepreneurship skills and extent of engagement in entrepreneurial activities when grouped by gender and major/program of study. Significant relationships were found between innovation and entrepreneurship skills and variables motivation and extent of engagement in entrepreneurial activities. There were problems and challenges mentioned by the participants such as insufficient teaching resources, challenge of creative thinking, adaptability, lack of motivation and interest, limited participation opportunities, teaching delivery, technology integration challenges, and disconnection between theory and practice. A plan of action was proposed to enhance students’ innovation and entrepreneurship skills, motivation, and extent of engagements in entrepreneurial activities.

Keywords: Innovation and entrepreneurship skills, motivation towards innovation and entrepreneurship, engagement in entrepreneurial activities
https://doi.org/ 10.57180/bubg4314