Entrepreneurship lecturers’ entrepreneurial orientation; evidence from Uganda

The purpose of this study was to establish the level of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of university entrepreneurship lecturers in Uganda. A census of all the university entrepreneurship lecturers was carried out. The findings indicate significantly higher levels of entrepreneurial orientation (Mean=3.9, SD=.31625, p<.001) on a 5-point scale with significant variations based on age (32–38 and 39+, p<.05). University lecturers in Uganda perceive entrepreneurship as an activity that derives wealth and respect, personal business startup and engaging in risky ventures characterized by inventiveness with natural ability. Although the study considered university lecturers, entrepreneurship education in Uganda cuts across high school and other tertiary institutions. Future studies need to include facilitators at those lower levels as well as students in order to capture their expectations about the qualities and specifications of a “good” entrepreneurship lecturer. Universities should devise strategies of sustaining the high levels of entrepreneurial orientation among entrepreneurship lecturers since it is a prerequisite for effective teaching, role modeling, inspiration, attitude change and lifelong learning whilst helping entrepreneurship facilitators to become more familiar with the behavioral competencies of successful entrepreneurs. An EO continuum is proposed.