Abstract

MBA DEGREE VERSUS ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION: THE EFFECT OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

*Samson Gbenga Jolaosho

ABSTRACT

Entrepreneurs are not born but made through a combination of innate characteristics, traits, education and environment. It is widely believed that education is not a prerequisite to business success. The dearth of data linking entrepreneurial orientation and academic qualification in the field of pharmacy leaves much to doubt. While literature substantiates the relevance of entrepreneurial training in business success, this study sought to determine the effect of business-inclined and clinically-oriented disciplines on entrepreneurial orientation of community pharmacists. Also, the role of entrepreneurial education and the MBA programme in community practice will be brought to fore. The study is a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 203 randomly selected community pharmacies across Lagos state. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the pharmacists to determine their level of autonomy, innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-aversiveness and aggressiveness. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concluded that business-inclined disciplines are relevant in community pharmacy practice. MBA degree holders are more autonomous and fairly proactive in the day-to-day running of community pharmacy enterprise unlike those with clinically-oriented disciplines. Entrepreneurial education provides the right orientation in addition to the skills acquired over time.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial orientation, academic qualification, business discipline, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial training, community pharmacy.