Investigating entrepreneurial intentions of Library and Information Science Graduands at Makerere University

Abstract

The study investigated the Entrepreneurial Intentions of Library and Information Science Graduands at EASLIS, Makerere University Kampala, Uganda. The study objectives were to: find out the attitude of Library and Information Science Graduands towards information entrepreneurship; determine the extent to which the BLIS program prepared the LIS Graduands for information entrepreneurship; examine the level of entrepreneurial intentions among Library and Information Science Graduands; and to examine the effect of information entrepreneurship education on the Library and Information Science Graduands` entrepreneurial intentions. A case study research design was adopted using a mixed-methods that combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The study population comprised of 133 Library and Information Science Graduands, and the entire population was studied. The study used both purposeful and census or enumeration sampling techniques. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS Version 20.0. Findings revealed that majority of the Library and Information Science Graduands have a moderate level intention to start information entrepreneurship ventures after their graduation, and such entrepreneurial intentions are predicted by: attitude towards entrepreneurial behaviour (ATE), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and information entrepreneurship education (EE) as per regression analysis results in Table 4.8. Further, the study found that BLIS Graduands possess a positive attitude towards information entrepreneurship. The Pearson correlations analysis output in Table 4.7 revealed a positive statistical significant relationship between the Graduands` Entrepreneurial Intentions and the four (4) independent variables namely: ATE (r=0.320*); SN (r=0.460**); EE (r=0.493**); and PBC (r=0.647**); respectively. The study concludes that with such a positive attitude held, in conjunction with approved normative beliefs, entrepreneurial knowledge and supportive and favorable environment in form of perceived behavioral control, Library and Information Science Graduands could turn their entrepreneurial intentions into actual business endeavors and become professional information entrepreneurs. The study recommends that EASLIS: reviews the curricula for information entrepreneurship education; blends her traditional lecturing system with other approaches like inviting LIS entrepreneurs as guest facilitators; arranging field visits; and establishes a ‘LIS Incubation Centre’ to facilitate students turn ideas and innovations into real businesses.