Polytechnic Students’ Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Preferences and Perceived Barriers to Start – Up Business

Abstract

The study seeks to investigate polytechnics students’ entrepreneurial knowledge, preferences and the perceived barriers to start-up business in Takoradi polytechnic, Ghana. The study employed the 2^nd, 3^rd year, and bachelor of technology students of the Hospitality Management department as the participants. A total of 250 questionnaires were self-administered, and 224 questionnaires were returned representing about 89.6%. Data collected from the survey was analysed using SPSS 16. It was discovered that hospitality students showed a great deal of interest, and vigour in establishing their own business after graduation unfortunately, their knowledge of agencies and support services to facilitate the intent was poor, and they as well pointed out lack of funding, lack of government support, lack of information, lack of exposure and fear of failure as the main barriers they likely to encounter.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Barriers, Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Hospitality Department