Entrepreneurs' perceptions of their entrepreneurial process: a qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with Education graduates in the Basque Country, Spain

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is necessary for the economic development of societies. Universities play a key role in this process by fostering entrepreneurship and promoting entrepreneurial skills. Studies show that entrepreneurship is largely mainstreamed into economics faculties; however, a multidisciplinary approach should be adopted to work across different fields. The aim of this study is to explore how graduates from faculties and schools of education in the Autonomous Region of the Basque Country (Spain) perceive the factors that have influenced their entrepreneurial process, in order to establish good practices, and to highlight strengths and weaknesses. A qualitative methodology was used by conducting and analysing 20 in-depth interviews. The main conclusions point to the lack of development of entrepreneurial skills in universities, the use of traditional methodologies by teaching staff, entrepreneurs’ passion and their desire to create companies that possess specific hallmark characteristics, among others.