Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Growth in the Context of the Agricultural Higher Education System of Iran from the Viewpoint of Agricultural Students

The present research aims to provide a model for entrepreneurial ecosystem growth in the context of the agricultural higher education system of Iran from the viewpoint of university students of different disciplines of agricultural studies. This study is an applied research regarding its purpose and was conducted using closed-ended questionnaires. The statistical population of the study consisted of 3781 of the university students of different fields of agricultural studies in the country. Using the Cochran formula, a sample comprising 416 individuals was selected by random sampling. To assess the validity of the research tool, a divergent validity method using AVE indicator was utilized, the amount of which for the constructs under study was above 0.5 and acceptable. In order to determine the reliability, the combined reliability method (CR) was used, the amount of which for the constructs under study was above 0.6 and acceptable. The amount of Cronbach’s alpha for the constructs under study was calculated to be above 0.7. In order to analyze the data, the Principle Component Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis methods were used. According to the research findings, among the components of the model for entrepreneurial ecosystem growth in the context of the agricultural higher education system of Iran from the viewpoint of agricultural students, the component of human capital was in the first place and the components of support, culture, policy, market, and financial capital were in the following places in that order. The findings of this research show the importance of the human capital component. Therefore, we propose the opportunity for more learning and education in the fields of entrepreneurship and startup be provided in agricultural colleges for the students of the agricultural fields of study.