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Educational diversity and work experience paths towards entrepreneurship

Author

Listed:
  • Qiantao Zhang

    (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University)

  • Chiara Marzocchi

    (Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University
    University of Padova)

  • Shiri M. Breznitz

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

While there is ample evidence on the role of education and employment in entrepreneurship more generally, we know less about how the accumulation of specific educational paths and work experience before or during university education contributes to entrepreneurship. Using unique data from two combined surveys linking information on the population of University of Toronto graduates, we provide an analysis on how the sequence of educational paths (STEM and non-STEM; non-STEM and STEM) and work experience before and during university studies influence entrepreneurial activities. The results suggest that diverse educational backgrounds are positively correlated with both entrepreneurial propensity and number of firms established. Full-time employment experience before the completion of the final degree, while not significant for entrepreneurship, is found to play an indirect role. Our findings have implications for understanding the importance of distinctive combinations of education paths and employment in shaping university students’ entrepreneurial activity after their graduation.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiantao Zhang & Chiara Marzocchi & Shiri M. Breznitz, 2025. "Educational diversity and work experience paths towards entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(2), pages 1047-1069, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:65:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-025-01033-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-025-01033-2
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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