Educação empreendedora no ensino superior: proposta de um programa adequado ao contexto brasileiro

Abstract

Different studies have pointed to the correlation between entrepreneurship by opportunity and the economic growth of a country. University students are a public more prone to entrepreneurship for opportunity, as they have more access to knowledge than most of the population. Entrepreneurial education has evolved as a field of research, bringing evidence that it is possible to develop the intention and skills to undertake through formal education. In this context, this research aimed to prepare a proposal for an entrepreneurial education program suitable for the Brazilian university context. For this purpose, UFJF was used as a pilot for the application of diagnostic questionnaires and for the elaboration of the program proposal. 545 questionnaires were applied to students in the areas of (i) Engineering, Technologies, and Exact Sciences, (ii) Applied Social Sciences, (iii) Humanities and Social Sciences and (iv) Biological and Health Sciences. The analysis of the data collected resulted in the identification of 4 factors underlying the construct of entrepreneurial intent and 8 factors underlying the construct of entrepreneurial skills. It was found that the intention to undertake and entrepreneurial skills are more present areas (i) and (ii), traditionally closest to the business world. Moreover, there was a predilection and a greater belief in the ability to undertake among men than in women. Based on the primary research carried out and the revision of the literature, a proposal for an entrepreneurial education program in the university context was elaborated, consisting of 3 disciplines that, offered in an integrated way, are believed to develop the student’s intention and entrepreneurial skills. Understanding that both human and biological areas and women can contribute to the development of entrepreneurship in UFJF and Brazil, the proposed program sought to include actions that contemplate these audiences.