Designing a causal-structural model of entrepreneurship education with emphasis on the opinions of the scientific-academic elite

The purpose of this study was to design a causal-structural model of entrepreneurship education with an emphasis on the views of the scientific-academic elite. In order to identify the initial dimensions and indicators and to generate the initial model, models and theories on the effective factors in creating entrepreneurship were examined followed by exploratory interviews with experts in the field. Then a Delphi panel consisting of 20 experts was formed. Questionnaires were distributed among the participants, and their opinions were analyzed. The results showed that entrepreneurship education for micro and intermediate educational activities consists of the dimensions of: IT skills, technical skills, entrepreneurial skills, and management skills. These dimensions consist of 47 indicators. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using PSSS software and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89 was obtained. To determine the priority of the dimensions and constituent indices, the pairwise comparison technique was used in X-Press Choice software. The results showed that entrepreneurial skills play the most important role in creating small and medium educational jobs. To determine the effectiveness of the model, a sample of 384 graduates was selected and the final questionnaire was distributed among them. Then the difference in scores before and after the training was considered as a dependent variable. Using SPSS software and multiple regression analysis, the positive relationship between entrepreneurship education and the above skills was confirmed. The results of modeling using Amos software also showed a significant positive relationship between these skills and entrepreneurship training.