The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development

Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and poverty reduction, particularly in developing and low-income economies. In response, higher education institutions (HEIs) are gaining attention for their potential to foster entrepreneurship...

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Main Authors: Abdijabbar Ismail Nor, Fadumo Shafie Mohamed, Maryam Mohamed Barre, Mohamed Abdulle Hussein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Business & Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2523417
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author Abdijabbar Ismail Nor
Fadumo Shafie Mohamed
Maryam Mohamed Barre
Mohamed Abdulle Hussein
author_facet Abdijabbar Ismail Nor
Fadumo Shafie Mohamed
Maryam Mohamed Barre
Mohamed Abdulle Hussein
author_sort Abdijabbar Ismail Nor
collection DOAJ
description Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and poverty reduction, particularly in developing and low-income economies. In response, higher education institutions (HEIs) are gaining attention for their potential to foster entrepreneurship through specialized programs, education and training, support services, research and innovation, partnerships, and community engagement. Thus, this study examines how HEIs contribute to entrepreneurship development through education and training, partnerships and collaboration, and community engagement and how these efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed to 201 trainees and administrative employees at three institutions: SIMAD University, Jamhuriya University, and Benadir University. A purposive sampling technique was employed to collect comprehensive and relevant data from stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship training programs in higher education institutions (HEIs). The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses, with Smart-PLS software (v.4.1.0.9) employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that HEIs positively influence entrepreneurship development by fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem through enhanced educational and training programs, strengthened community collaboration, and creation of robust networks. These findings underscore the vital role of HEIs in driving entrepreneurial growth and highlight a holistic approach to fostering entrepreneurship development by integrating education, networking, partnerships, and community support. Policymakers, HEIs, and public and private sector organizations can leverage these insights to design targeted interventions that support entrepreneurial growth and sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-2b0fb0f8e21a42818514e57f2bc8d4f82025-07-03T07:19:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Business & Management2331-19752025-12-0112110.1080/23311975.2025.2523417The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship developmentAbdijabbar Ismail Nor0Fadumo Shafie Mohamed1Maryam Mohamed Barre2Mohamed Abdulle Hussein3Department of Business Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Somali National University, Mogadishu, SomaliaDepartment of Business Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Somali National University, Mogadishu, SomaliaDepartment of Business Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Somali National University, Mogadishu, SomaliaDepartment of Business Management, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Somali National University, Mogadishu, SomaliaEntrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and poverty reduction, particularly in developing and low-income economies. In response, higher education institutions (HEIs) are gaining attention for their potential to foster entrepreneurship through specialized programs, education and training, support services, research and innovation, partnerships, and community engagement. Thus, this study examines how HEIs contribute to entrepreneurship development through education and training, partnerships and collaboration, and community engagement and how these efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed to 201 trainees and administrative employees at three institutions: SIMAD University, Jamhuriya University, and Benadir University. A purposive sampling technique was employed to collect comprehensive and relevant data from stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship training programs in higher education institutions (HEIs). The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses, with Smart-PLS software (v.4.1.0.9) employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that HEIs positively influence entrepreneurship development by fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem through enhanced educational and training programs, strengthened community collaboration, and creation of robust networks. These findings underscore the vital role of HEIs in driving entrepreneurial growth and highlight a holistic approach to fostering entrepreneurship development by integrating education, networking, partnerships, and community support. Policymakers, HEIs, and public and private sector organizations can leverage these insights to design targeted interventions that support entrepreneurial growth and sustainability.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2523417Entrepreneurship education and trainingnetwork and partnershipcommunity engagemententrepreneurship developmentAfrican studiessustainable development
spellingShingle Abdijabbar Ismail Nor
Fadumo Shafie Mohamed
Maryam Mohamed Barre
Mohamed Abdulle Hussein
The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
Cogent Business & Management
Entrepreneurship education and training
network and partnership
community engagement
entrepreneurship development
African studies
sustainable development
title The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
title_full The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
title_fullStr The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
title_full_unstemmed The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
title_short The role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
title_sort role of higher education institutions in promoting entrepreneurship development
topic Entrepreneurship education and training
network and partnership
community engagement
entrepreneurship development
African studies
sustainable development
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2523417
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