Pathways to Entrepreneurship Training Towards Addressing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria

202 Pages·2017·0.95 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2018
Pathways to Entrepreneurship Training Towards
Addressing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria
Edward Perekebina Agbai
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Edward Agbai

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Richard Schuttler, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Judith Forbes, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. David Gould, University Reviewer, Management Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2018
Abstract
Pathways to Entrepreneurship Training Towards Addressing Youth Unemployment in
Nigeria
by
Edward Agbai
MS, Walden University, 2015
PCE, University of Liverpool, 2014
HND, Rivers State Polytechnic, 2002

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
May 2018
Abstract
The inadequacy of entrepreneurial knowledge among 21-25 year olds in Nigeria with
recent undergraduate degrees has led to youth unemployment after graduating from
universities. The development of entrepreneurship skills through entrepreneurship
education programs for the students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria may bridge the
unemployment gap. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this
exploratory multiple case study was to gain a robust common understanding of how
undergraduates from 21-25 years old can obtain the entrepreneurial knowledge required
for self-employment in Nigeria. Data collection involved semistructured interviews, field
notes, and archived training documents, with a purposeful sample of 15 undergraduate
degree holders over 21 years old, who had been self-employed, in different industries and
possessed entrepreneurial knowledge and experiences. Using Yin’s 5 step data analysis
process, member checking, and triangulation resulted in the emergence of codes, themes,
and categories. The key themes were knowledge of business management, identification
of business opportunities, information from workshop and seminars, information from
social media and customer service, information on innovation, and mentor and mentee
relationship. The findings from this study provide the empirical evidence needed to
support entrepreneurship education as well as insight on tertiary institutions’ commitment
to entrepreneurship education that may lead to the creation of employment and empowers
entrepreneurs towards national growth and development. The implications for positive
social change include reshaping the way undergraduates prepare for self-employment,
leading to a reduction of unemployment among youths in Nigeria.
Pathways to Entrepreneurship Training Towards Addressing Youth Unemployment in
Nigeria
by
Edward Agbai

MS, Walden University, 2015
PCE, University of Liverpool, 2014
HND, Rivers State Polytechnic, 2002

Walden University

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

May 2018
Dedication
I dedicate the study of this doctoral program to God Almighty. The dedication of
my doctoral goes to my wife, Ebiye, my three lovely children, Miebi, Tekena and
Eladebi. To my wife for her support towards the completion of the program against all
odds, I say a big thanks to you. This dedication also goes to my mother, Mrs. Iniye Claris
Agbai, for her prayers, care, and understanding during the period of the study, without
which the journey would have been even harder. Thank you so much for providing me
with time and encouragement for me to complete my doctoral goal.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my chair, Dr. Richard Schuttler, for all the guidance that was
provided that enabled me to go through the doctoral journey. His timely intervention and
response to questions and inquiries are commendable. Resources that were provided
within the classroom gave me a giant leap. I would also like to thank my committee
members, Dr. Judith Forbes and Dr. David Gould, for their valuable feedbacks and
comments that ensured my study conformed to the standard set out by the university. To
my siblings, Eunice, Tonye, Ebi, and Godwin, I love you all.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background of the Study ...............................................................................................1
Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................5
Research Questions ........................................................................................................6
Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................6
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................7
Assumptions ...................................................................................................................9
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................10
Limitations ...................................................................................................................11
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................12
Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 13
Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 13
Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 14
Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................15
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................17
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................18
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................19
The Concept of Entrepreneurship ......................................................................... 21
Entrepreneurial Attributes and Characteristics ..................................................... 31
i
The Entrepreneur .................................................................................................. 34
Education and Youth Entrepreneurship ................................................................ 36
Entrepreneurship Role in Societal Development .................................................. 48
Youth Unemployment ........................................................................................... 56
Transition from Student to Entrepreneur .............................................................. 59
Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................60
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................62
Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................63
Research Design.................................................................................................... 63
Research Rationale................................................................................................ 66
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................68
Methodology ................................................................................................................70
Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................... 72
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 73
Expert Validation .................................................................................................. 78
Procedures for Recruitment of Participants, and Data Collection ........................ 80
Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 82
Issues of Trustworthiness .............................................................................................85
Credibility ............................................................................................................. 86
Transferability ....................................................................................................... 87
Dependability ........................................................................................................ 87
Confirmability ....................................................................................................... 88
ii
Ethical Procedures ................................................................................................ 88
Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................91
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................93
Research Setting...........................................................................................................94
Demographics ..............................................................................................................95
Data Analysis .............................................................................................................100
Evidence of Trustworthiness......................................................................................103
Credibility ........................................................................................................... 103
Transferability ..................................................................................................... 104
Dependability ...................................................................................................... 105
Confirmability ..................................................................................................... 105
Study Results .............................................................................................................106
Emergent Themes ......................................................................................................111
Theme 1: Information from Competition ........................................................... 111
Theme 2: Information on Innovation .................................................................. 112
Theme 3: Information from Customers Services ................................................ 113
Theme 4: Knowledge on Business Management ................................................ 115
Theme 5: Information from Social Media .......................................................... 116
Theme 6: Mentor and Mentee Relationship........................................................ 118
Theme 7: Information from Workshop and Seminars ........................................ 119
Theme 8: Information from Macroeconomics Trends ........................................ 120
Theme 9: Identification of Business opportunities ............................................. 121
iii