Validation of the Entrepreneurial Behaviour Scale among Vocational College Students in China, Using Exploratory Factor and Reliability Analysis

Abstract

Aim: The significance of entrepreneurial behaviour among college students lies in its ability to not only generate a wide range of job opportunities and make a substantial contribution to the economy, but also to maintain societal stability. There is a scarcity of research on college students' entrepreneurial behaviour, particularly in vocational colleges. One possible reason for this is the lack of reliable tools to effectively measure entrepreneurial behaviour in vocational college students. This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the entrepreneurial behaviour scale through a pilot study conducted among vocational college students in China. Methods: This scale, which measures entrepreneurial behaviour, consists of three dimensions: entrepreneurial activities, overcoming failures, and proactive behaviour. It was adapted from established scales that have been extensively used in academic research. For this pilot study, a total of 118 students from vocational colleges in Shandong Province, China, were engaged through an online survey using random sampling. Results: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to validate items within each construct, employing factor loading. Internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach's alpha. The EFA results validate the validity of the instrument's structure, demonstrating that each item had a factor loading above 0.5 and fell within its respective construct. In addition, the scale demonstrates strong internal consistency, as evidenced by a Cronbach's alpha value that surpasses the threshold of 0.7. Conclusion: Therefore, this scale is considered a reliable tool for evaluating the entrepreneurial behaviour of vocational college students. It is adequate and appropriate for future research in this area within the vocational college setting.