Effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDP) To Promote Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Bahrain
1-INTRODUCTION
The rise in the acknowledgment of the significance of entrepreneurship in regard to economic development has resulted in governments across the world transforming academic institutes to drive cultures that can uphold enterprise as well as innovative business creation amongst graduates (Acharya & Chandra, 2019). As equated to developed nations, entrepreneurship edification is scarce amongst most developing countries (Fakhreldin & Hattab, 2019). For instance, in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, the colonial education systems that continue to restrict policy effort toward establishing high institutes for technical and well as vocational training which is the basis for small businesses. Certainly, in Bahrain, there are several technical and vocational institutes, although not of favorite choice by most parents and guardians.
1.1-Problem of Statement
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs to promote entrepreneurship and to support entrepreneurs in Bahrain.
1.2-Research questions
- How effective are entrepreneurship development programs in Bahrain training institutions?
- What is the effect of EDP on the development of Entrepreneurship in Bahrain?
- To what extend EDP supports entrepreneurs to create their new businesses?
1.3-Research objectives
- To investigate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs in Bahrain training institutions.
- To measure the effective are entrepreneurship development programs in Bahrain training institutions.
- To measure extent EDP supports entrepreneurs to create their new businesses.
2-LITERATURE REVIEW
Rennemo (2015) has conducted a valuable study on the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs for the promotion of entrepreneurship. The focus of the paper is the practices of trainers as they can employ action-oriented entrepreneurship development programs for enhancing entrepreneurship in society. The researcher has focused on training and education in the field as they should consider contextual factors before going into programs. The findings of the research have been valuable as consideration of certain elements can help entrepreneurs to be successful. There are four significant findings in this research (Rennemo, 2015).
First, Rennemo (2015) finds that action-oriented programs for entrepreneurship development enhance competencies among participants. As a result, they develop their entrepreneurial abilities and competencies. It results in the expansion of their business. It shows that this finding relates to current business people as they can become successful. However, the second finding of the research calls for trainers and educators to quip with requires and necessary competencies and expertise. Competencies must not limit to only one domain or perspective. Instead, trainers and educators have to display various and diverse kinds of expertise. It can enrich participants with entrepreneurial knowledge and expertise (Rennemo, 2015).
The third finding shows that entrepreneurs should have access to a knowledge reservoir. It helps them gain more expertise and knowledge to be successful in business. The fourth finding is about the need for collaboration of regional research institutions so that they can share their expertise to benefit entrepreneurs. Moreover, entrepreneurship development programs are also crucial for the uplift of rural areas. In one of such studies, Ahmad Wan Yusoff, Noor, and Ramin (2012) have studied the impact of these programs in the rural context. The study has been conducted in Malaysia, and it has drawn useful findings through the study (Rennemo, 2015).
Ahmad Wan Yusoff, Noor, and Ramin (2012) have found exciting findings of the rural entrepreneurship development program. It states that the government has been supporting these programs in rural areas. Moreover, there is a rise in these programs. It is one of the ways to uplift the living standard in rural areas in developing countries. The entrepreneurship program is practical and in the field. Therefore, it is different from a typical education or training program for youngsters or students. The program has not been effective in terms of the expectations of the government. However, there are some satisfactory results from it (Ahmad et al., 2012).
It shows that understanding the entrepreneurship development program was higher among participants that mean they are familiar with it. The level of understanding is understandable using factors including promotion, awareness, content used in promotion, program suitability, the content of the program, and activities included in the program. However, the results of the study find the program less useful as compared to the awareness and understanding of it. It is interesting to know that it is not always the case that knowledge leads to effectiveness (Ahmad et al., 2012).
Ahmad Wan Yusoff, Noor, and Ramin (2012) have further contributed to the research by highlighting areas for improvement. Each factor in the program has been given its score, where two aspects related to effectiveness have got the least score. These aspects are integration and coordination. It shows that the entrepreneurship development program is less effective because of a lack of integration and coordination. The focus of the research study is to note that entrepreneurship development programs should be coordinated and integrated to promote entrepreneurship among participants.
Al-Dairi, McQuaid, and Adams (2012) have conducted a research study on entrepreneurship training for the promotion of startups and innovation in Bahrain. The study has relevance to the topic of research that is the Entrepreneurship Development Program or EDP. The study has focused on the case study of EDP. The study has found that many initiatives have led to an increase in entrepreneurship in Bahrain, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is one such initiative that promotes entrepreneurship and startups in Bahrain. Researchers have found that hands-on practices and results-oriented practices in entrepreneurship are essential in the promotion of entrepreneurial activities. It shows that the effectiveness of these programs is due to the active involvement of participants in the program. The orientation of such initiatives should be on results because entrepreneurship is a practical activity that must end at an outcome (Al-Dairi et al., 2012).
Al-Dairi, McQuaid, and Adams (2012) have noted the entrepreneurship development program should be broader in the application so that maximum effectiveness may be possible. The role of training and education is also high because they equip participants with the required expertise. However, their value practices leading practice-oriented courses (Al-Dairi et al., 2012).
The above literature has found some critical elements to know how entrepreneurship development programs become useful so that they can promote entrepreneurship. The effectiveness of these programs is based on action and result oriented training and education. It also calls for a variety of expertise possessed by trainers. Trainers and educators should ensure collaboration with each other. It is further necessary to bring components of the entrepreneurship development program integrated and coordinated. In the research study on Bahrain, result-oriented and hands-on practice have been considered essential factors for the effectiveness of these programs. As a result, they promote entrepreneurship, and participants get motivated to start their businesses. In the following, the conceptual model and hypotheses have been developed based on the above literature.
Conceptual Model/Framework EDP
Research Hypotheses
H1: Action Oriented Training and Education cause effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs leading to Promotion of Entrepreneurship
H2: Variety of Expertise possessed by Trainers and Educators causes the effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs leading to Promotion of Entrepreneurship
H3: Results Oriented Training and Education cause effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs leading to Promotion of Entrepreneurship
H4: Integration and Coordination of Components cause the effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs leading to Promotion of Entrepreneurship
H5: Hands-on Practice causes the effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Development Programs leading to the Promotion of Entrepreneurship
3-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
To realize the research objective of this study, the researcher will employ quantitative research techniques. The researcher intends to use quantitative methods during data collection because questionnaires will be used to gather views from research participants regarding the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programs in Bahrain training institutions.
3.1-Expected Research Outcomes
This study will provide several benefits to students, interested readers, future researchers, and the education ministry of Bahrain.
REFERENCES
Al-Dairi, A., McQuaid, R. & Adams, J., 2012. Entrepreneurship training to promote start-ups and innovation in Bahrain. International Journal of Innovation and Knowledge Management in the Middle East and North Africa, 1(2), pp.85-116.
Ahmad, A.R., Yusoff, W.F.W., Noor, H.M. & Ramin, A.K., 2012. Preliminary study of rural entrepreneurship development program in Malaysia. Journal of global entrepreneurship, 2(1), pp.1-8.
Rennemo, 2015. Entrepreneurial trainers-the competence mixes in action-oriented entrepreneurship development programs. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 18(2), pp.135-50.
