The role of cognitive and non-cognitive skills in shaping students' entrepreneurial intentions of agricultural vocational schools in Kermanshah province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 MSc. Graduate of Agricultural Extension and Education, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

3 Associate professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, BuAliSina University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Both cognitive and non-cognitive skills are crucial to improve entrepreneurial intentions and readiness, but little research has been done. The main purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to investigate the level of cognitive and non-cognitive skills and their role in shaping students' entrepreneurial intentions of agricultural vocational schools in Kermanshah province. The study population consisted of second and third grade students of agricultural vocational schools in Kermanshah province in the 2020-2021 academic year (N=300). Based on Krejcie and Morgan sampling table, 167 students were selected as a sample using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire. The face validity of the questionnaire was verified by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed using composite reliability coefficient (CR>0.70). In addition, convergent validity was evaluated using average variance extracted (AVE) which was found to be adequate. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and partial least squares method with the help of SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results showed that students' cognitive and non-cognitive skills are not at the desired level. Furthermore, the results indicated that attitudes toward entrepreneurship and cognitive skills had a positive and significant relationship with students' entrepreneurial intentions. However, among non-cognitive skills, only proactivity was directly and significantly related to entrepreneurial intentions. The results also showed that attitudes toward entrepreneurship mediated the relationship between cognitive skills, proactivity, and risk-taking with entrepreneurial intentions. Based on the results, suggestions were made to develop and deliver appropriate entrepreneurship education and improve students' cognitive and non-cognitive skills.

Keywords

References

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Yaghoubi Farani, A., Karimi, S. and Motaghed, M. (2017). The role of entrepreneurial knowledge as a competence in shaping Iranian students’ career intentions to start a new digital business. European Journal of Training and Development, 41(1), 83-100

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