Jessica Kennedy

Enterprise Education: Influencing Students’ Perceptions of Entrepreneurship:

This research examines the effect of participation in an enterprise education program on perceptions of the desirability and feasibility of starting a business. Changes in the perceptions of a sample of secondary school students enrolled in the Young Achievement Australia (YAA) enterprise program are analysed using a pre–test post–test control group research design. After completing the enterprise program, participants reported significantly higher perceptions of both desirability and feasibility. The degree of change in perceptions is related to the positiveness of prior experience and to the positiveness of the experience in the enterprise education program. Self–efficacy theory is used to explain the impact of the program. Overall, the study provides empirical evidence to support including exposure to entrepreneurship education as an additional exposure variable in entrepreneurial intentions models.

Factors affecting student attitudes toward flexible online learning in management education

In response to recent technological advances and the trend toward flexible learning in education, the authors examined the factors affecting student satisfaction with flexible online learning. The authors identified 2 key student attributes of student satisfaction: (a) positive perceptions of technology in terms of ease of access and use of online flexible learning material and (b) autonomous and innovative learning styles. The authors derived measures of perceptions of technology from research on the Technology Acceptance Model and used locus of control and innovative attitude as indicators of an autonomous and innovative learning mode. First-year students undertaking an introductory management course completed surveys at the beginning (n = 248) and at the end (n = 256) of course work. The authors analyzed the data by using structural equation modeling. Results suggest that student satisfaction is influenced by positive perceptions toward technology and an autonomous learning mode.

A review of the impact of education and prior experience on new venture performance

The importance of education and experience to the successful performance of new firms is well recognized both by management practitioners and academics. Yet empirical research to support the significance of this relationship is inconclusive. This paper discusses theories describing the relationship between education and experience and firm performance. It also analyses and classifies the differing measures of performance, education and experience, and compares the results of multiple studies undertaken between 1977 and 2000. Possible reasons for conflicting results are identified, such as lack of sound theoretical bases that relate education and experience to performance, varying definitions of the key variables and the diversity of measures used. Finally, a framework is developed that incorporates variables that interact with experience and education to influence new venture performance.

Financial Management Practices in Small Businesses: Regional and Metropolitan

Abstract There has been significant research on the factors that lead to small business success, growth, and failure. These factors can generally be described as relating to the ability and competence of the business owner/manager, the opportunity presented, and the willingness of the owner to pursue the opportunity. Differences are likely to arise in these factors in different regional areas. This study examines the financial management practices and perceptions of tradespeople in the building industry in Queensland and compares findings from a relatively large regional centre with businesses from Brisbane, the State capital of Queensland. This comparison seeks to determine if there are differences in attitudes and practices in the financial management of firms and individuals in these two areas. This study is based on data collected using a self-administered questionnaire completed by participants in a financial management training workshop before they had undertaken the training. This paper analyses responses to questions on financial management practices as well as firm and individual factors. Results of the analysis indicate that there are significant differences in both attitudes and practices of business owners and employees in the industry. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.