Abstract:

Nowadays, the issue of entrepreneurship has become more and more popular. The reason behind the phenomenon ought to be seen in the growing significance of entrepreneurship in the development of modern economies, emphasis on competence development and the individuals’ activity.

With growing frequency, the literature of the subject discusses the issue of academic entrepreneurship associated with the changing role of the modern university. At present, universities are becoming the place where students’ attitudes and competences are shaped in the context of challenges posed by the increasingly competitive labor market and innovative economy. The role of the university is not only to educate human resources, but also to develop multifunctional relations with their environment- business entities, institutions, local and national governments.

Modern economy demands of graduates particular competences associated not only with knowledge and skills connected with the particular university course. Studies constitute a significant period when young people develop themselves, their competences, and at the same time shape the basis for their professional career. In turbulent times of changes in the labor market, specific competences are expected of the young, especially with regards to activity, flexibility, openness to change, and dealing with the ever-changing reality. These competences are associated with entrepreneurship considered as the characteristic of a pro-active individual focused on development, and search for and exploitation of opportunities emerging in the surrounding environment.

The subject matter of the present study pertains to the comparative analysis of factors determining students’ entrepreneurial intentions and attitudes. Empirical studies were conducted among students of economics who, due to the profile of the course, are considered more inclined and predestined to manage an own business. When searching for factors determining entrepreneurial attitudes, the results were compared with opinions of non-economics students (engineering courses).

The objective of the study was to identify entrepreneurial competences and determinants of respondents’ pro-entrepreneurial attitudes. Empirical studies were conducted by means of a diagnostic poll method with random survey technique. The study was conducted in 2018 among students of full-time graduate studies at two universities in Lublin, Poland.

Keywords:

Students, higher education, students’ entrepreneurial attitudes, entrepreneurial competences.