The Impact of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education on Ecopreneurial Intentions: A Grounded Theory Study in Chinese Universities
Keywords:
Ecological Entrepreneurship Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Courses, Ecological Entrepreneurship Intention, University Students, Contextual SupportAbstract
In the context of increasing global environmental challenges, cultivating talent with an ecological entrepreneurship mindset is essential for achieving sustainable development goals. This study, using a grounded theory approach, explores the mechanisms through which innovation and entrepreneurship education influences students' intentions for ecological entrepreneurship. In-depth interviews were conducted with 68 Chinese university students from diverse disciplines (36.8% STEM, 26.5% business, 22.1% social sciences, 14.7% arts and design). The study identifies 46 initial concepts and 23 categories, leading to a theoretical model encompassing educational content, internal states, and contextual factors. Findings reveal that: (1) Innovation and entrepreneurship education enhances students' motivation, beliefs, and skills through practical course content, interactive teaching methods, practice-oriented pedagogy, and interdisciplinary integration; (2) Internal state changes, including motivation, belief enhancement, and skill acquisition, mediate the influence of educational content on ecological entrepreneurship intentions; (3) Contextual factors, such as campus ecological culture and social support networks, strengthen the educational impact. The study suggests universities optimize curricula to build a multi-level ecological entrepreneurship education system. This research enriches theoretical understanding and offers practical guidance for improving educational outcomes.
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