Students’ self-reported learning outcomes after a business start-up education program

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to examine the breadth of influence of a business plan-based entrepreneurship education. This task is implemented by examining students’ (n = 227) self-reported learning outcomes concerning entrepreneurial skills, attitudes and abilities after education. In addition to proposing a classification of the self-reported learning outcomes, this study explores how these outcomes are related to the background characteristics of those taking part in an education program, and of the companies involved. Based on this study, four main areas of self-reported learning outcomes were found: (i) working-life key skills, (ii) management skills, (iii) entrepreneurial empowerment and (iv) development orientation. The most positive effects of the study program were related to management skills and empowerment. The most challenging, and least influenced aspect, involved the dynamic features of entrepreneurship.