CAN BUSINESS SCHOOLS PRODUCE ENTREPRENEURS? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

ABSTRACT This study examines a sample of 225 entrepreneurs who have graduated from the Western Business School. Issues examined include characteristics such as whether family members were entrepreneurs, the type of company which employed them before their entrepreneurial career and reasons why they left that employment. The influence of mentors, entrepreneurial ventures in university and reasons contributing to their decision to become entrepreneurs are also investigated, as well as the influence of various courses on their decision, especially entrepreneurship courses. Information on their type of venture, sources of financing, and educational background completed the survey while suggestions to encourage entrepreneurial careers for business school students were also sought. The overall conclusions of the study are that potential entrepreneurs can be encouraged (and discouraged) by business school programs, entrepreneurship can be taught (and learned) in business schools and new ventures by entrepreneuri...