Opportunity-Based versus Necessity-Based Entrepreneurship Preference for Self-Employment and Entrepreneurial Involvement among College Students: A Case Study of Kirinyaga University

Abstract

Abstract This research work was conducted among students of Kirinyaga University. It was aimed at identifying the pull and push motivations for entrepreneurial engagement among the college students. For each category of motivations, three indicators were picked and used to gauge the level of the motivations. The target population was 1549 and after running the sampling model, a sample size of 308 was picked. Students were then stratified into homogenous groups of Department or school, the course undertaken, year of study and then semester of study (whether first or second). Simple Random sampling was then used to obtain representative samples from each of the homogenous groupings. Questionnaires were the main data collection tool and contained closed-ended and open-ended test items. Questionnaires were administered to the students through their class representatives and the filled questionnaires were picked back after an agreed time. In general, about 90% of the questionnaires were received back from the students. Of this 90%, approximately 80% were adequately and correctly filled and were used for data analysis. In order to obtain objective data for determination of variability between the genders, a test item on gender of the respondent was included. Data analysis revealed that between the pull and push motivations, the latter played a more significant role in determining student engagement in entrepreneurial activities. This is significant since it is expected that students would go into Entrepreneurship ‘willingly’ and not because of lack of a ‘better option’. Policy makers would find this research significant to inform their policy decisions in making entrepreneurial engagement among the youth an attractive option for national economic growth and development.