The Factors Affecting Agricultural Students' Attitude towards Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

This study has the main aim at identifying agricultural students' attitude of Applied-Scientific University of Hamedan's agricultural-jihad branch towards self-employment and entrepreneurship. The research has used a surveying methodology. The statistical population of this study consisted of the students in different agricultural majors who were studying in the Applied-Scientific University affiliated to Agricultural-Jihad of Hamedan province. Of total 210 students in 2010 academic year, 134 were selected randomly as samples. The main research tool for data gathering was a questionnaire. The accuracy of the items and indicators of the questionnaire were validated by experts' views. For assessing reliability of the questionnaire, the questionnaire was first given to a number of the students. After completing the questionnaire, it was calculated by Cronbach's Alpha test and it was 0.82. Results indicated the students' attitude was higher than moderate towards self-employment and entrepreneurship. This means the students agreed to self-employment with positive attitude. Results showed that there was significant relationship between both the students' entrepreneurship characteristics and the students' interest to work in agricultural sector and their attitude towards self-employment. Results also indicated that self- employment ability, semester, grade per average, entrepreneurship features, the students' interest to work in agricultural sector and the students' interest to agricultural major were the six important factors affecting on the students' attitude towards entrepreneurship and self-employment.