Detecting Hidden Sorting and Alignment Effects of Entrepreneurship Education

Journal Article
Journal of Small Business Management, 57(4), 1712-1737
Authors

Michael Fretschner

Hannes W. Lampe

Published

January 1, 2019

Doi

10.1111/jsbm.12448

Abstract
Recently, scholars are confronted with only small positive, non-existing, or even negative average effects of entrepreneurship education. We draw on two largely neglected and hidden effects of entrepreneurship education, namely the alignment and the sorting effect, in order to explain previous inconsistent evaluation outcomes. Making use of ex ante and ex post student-surveys in a quasi-experimental setting, we provide insights into how these effects emerge and are further amplified by course-induced updates in personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Our study shows that relying on average measures is often not effective in evaluating entrepreneurship courses and highlights the need for new outcomes measures.

Research

© Anne Gärtner

  • Journal Article
  • Journal of Small Business Management
  • 2019
  • Vol. 57(4), pp. 1712-1737
  • DOI

Authors

Michael Fretschner, Hannes W. Lampe

Abstract

Recently, scholars are confronted with only small positive, non-existing, or even negative average effects of entrepreneurship education. We draw on two largely neglected and hidden effects of entrepreneurship education, namely the alignment and the sorting effect, in order to explain previous inconsistent evaluation outcomes. Making use of ex ante and ex post student-surveys in a quasi-experimental setting, we provide insights into how these effects emerge and are further amplified by course-induced updates in personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Our study shows that relying on average measures is often not effective in evaluating entrepreneurship courses and highlights the need for new outcomes measures.

Tags

Entrepreneurship Education Selection Effects