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University choice and entrepreneurship

Author

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  • Daghbashyan, Zara

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

  • Hårsman, Björn

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This paper aims at shedding light upon the impact of universities on graduates’ entrepreneurial choice. Previous studies (Dale and Krueger, 2002, Brand and Halaby, 2006, McGuinness, 2003) have analyzed the relationship between the choice of university and labor market success of graduates in terms of their subsequent wages, employability or over-education, whereas the possible link between the choice of university and entrepreneurial choice has been neglected.Using 1998-2008 data on graduates from Swedish higher education institutions (HEI), the paper finds significant variation in the impact of universities on the career choice of graduates. The results suggest that graduates with degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences, medicine and teacher education from more prestigious universities systematically differ from others in their entrepreneurial choice. At the same time, no statistically significant difference is found for technical science graduates.

Suggested Citation

  • Daghbashyan, Zara & Hårsman, Björn, 2012. "University choice and entrepreneurship," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 292, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0292
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    1. Bergmann, Heiko & Geissler, Mario & Hundt, Christian & Grave, Barbara, 2018. "The climate for entrepreneurship at higher education institutions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 700-716.
    2. Klofsten, Magnus & Fayolle, Alain & Guerrero, Maribel & Mian, Sarfraz & Urbano, David & Wright, Mike, 2019. "The entrepreneurial university as driver for economic growth and social change - Key strategic challenges," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 149-158.
    3. Larsson, Johan P. & Wennberg, Karl & Wiklund, Johan & Wright, Mike, 2017. "Location choices of graduate entrepreneurs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8), pages 1490-1504.
    4. Ghulam Nabi & Francisco Linan & Alain Fayolle & Norris F. Krueger & Andreas Walmsley, 2017. "The impact of entrepreneurship education in higher education : A systematic review and research agenda," Post-Print hal-02313409, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    universities; education; entrepreneurship; graduates;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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