Social representation of entrepreneurship among portuguese higher education students

Abstract

This study aims to know the Social Representation of Entrepreneurship among Portuguese higher education students. 966 students answered through a free word evocation technique based on the term entrepreneurship. 4,726 terms were identified in a total of 339 different words. The results show a central core organized around the core concepts of Creativity, Company, Initiative, Innovation, Business, and Work. A first periphery was identified with terms such as Support, Autonomy, Development, Money, and Commitment. A second periphery contains aspects such as Determination, Leadership, and Realization. A contrasting core, referred to by a minority group, is composed of elements such as Power, Boldness, and Aspiration. The results suggest that the core definition of entrepreneurship has attained the status of social representation among Portuguese higher education students.