Social and business entrepreneurship as career options for university students in the United Arab Emirates: The drive preparedness gap
Abstract With limited employment opportunities, entrepreneurship is becoming a viable option to combat unemployment. This study explores undergraduate students' attitudes towards business and social entrepreneurship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) assuming that the lack of awareness among students regarding social entrepreneurship and the lack of education opportunities in this particular field are unfavourably affecting their attitudes towards these areas. A survey of 1,080 students attending different disciplines in 14 UAE public and private universities reveals a gap between entrepreneurial desire and preparedness. About 38 and 23.3% expressed an interest in becoming entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs, respectively. Despite this level of interest, the limited access to social entrepreneurship education, training and experience leads to a drive preparedness gap that must be reduced in order to maximise the potential of the UAE's next generation. Integrating social entrepreneurship as part of the university entrepreneurship education programmes can ensure that the future business entrepreneurs are more socially conscious.