ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION IN OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT: PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN POLYTECHNIC IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract The role of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) is vital not only to convert educational programmes into engines of sustainable economic development but also to the overall development of society. This study explored the impact of the dimensions of EO: innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness on entrepreneurship capacity of Office Technology and Management (OTM) students and graduates of Polytechnic in Southwest Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was employed. The participants of the study were OTM teachers, students and professionals from the industry and 300 sample were chosen by multi-stage sampling method. We collected data through structured questionnaires on a four-point Likert scale and the data was analyzed with descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential methods (t-test). Results showed that the dimensions of EO positively influenced the entrepreneurial potential of OTM graduates. Association of digital skills, business incubation and industry partnership on entrepreneurial outcomes was significant. But institutional safety nets and policy landscapes faired less well. This study finds that EO is an essential driver of graduate enterprise but needs more institutional support. It suggests curricular re-focus, spending on digital tools and a better industryacademia interface to enable sustainable entrepreneurship through OTM education.