Proactive Entrepreneurial Characteristics of Science and Technology Students: An Empirical Study in Indian Context

Abstract

In this article we examine the entrepreneurial tendencies among science and technology (S&T) graduates in India. The study was carried out to understand the entrepreneurial psyche among S&T students from India-based institutions of national repute, i.e. Indian Institutes of Technology and National Institutes of Technology. We found that there is a low level of interest among students to pursue an entrepreneurial career. In the psychological context, factors such as self-efficacy, locus of control, innovativeness, achievement orientation were found to positively influence students’ entrepreneurial aspirations, but surprisingly not the risk taking propensity. Moreover, environmental factors such as existence of vital resources were found to motivate entrepreneurship. On policy implication per se, our finding concludes with suggestions to impart entrepreneurial knowledge through programmes especially designed for S&T graduates. Additionally, in the context of entrepreneurial ecosystem, policy makers can pave new dimensions by creating an environment that serves as a catalyst for high-tech venturing.