The effects of an entrepreneurship programme on Need for Achievement and Locus of Control of reinforcement

Abstract

The study examines the change in n Achievement and Locus of Control of individuals in an 9 months entrepreneurship programme. The experiment comprised of two experimental groups (n = 10 and n = 9), and two control groups (n = 19 and n = 32). All groups consisted of male and female students. All groups were at similar educational levels, age, and area of study. All participants had finished high school or an equivalent level of education. Need for Achievement was measured with Thematic Apperception Test consisting of six pictures. Locus of Control was measured with Rotter’s Internal‐External test. A pretest was carried out in the beginning of the experimental and control groups education, the posttest after 7 months. A statistically significant increase in n Achievement (t = ‐3.33, p < 0.005) and in internal Locus of Control (t = 3.63, p = 0.001) were obtained as a result of participating in entrepreneurship education, while the control group showed no change. The result supports the hypothesis that participating in an entrepreneurship programme should increase Need for Achievement and internal Locus of Control of Reinforcement.

Citation

Hansemark, O.C. (1998), "The effects of an entrepreneurship programme on Need for Achievement and Locus of Control of reinforcement", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 28-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552559810203957