Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 6016: Cultivating Green Collar Entrepreneurs: The Influence of Economic and Environmental Knowledge on University Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources—The Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 6016: Cultivating Green Collar Entrepreneurs: The Influence of Economic and Environmental Knowledge on University Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources—The Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

Energies doi: 10.3390/en18226016

Authors:
Anna Sobczak
Anna Barwińska-Małajowicz
Jolanta Witek
Dariusz Kłak
Dariusz Soboń
Magdalena Nogga

This article analyzes how entrepreneurship education contributes to the development of economic awareness, supports innovation, and promotes the principles of sustainable development. The competencies acquired through this approach can lead to increased interest in renewable energy sources (RES) as both an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. The research was empirical in nature and included both quantitative and qualitative components. In-depth interviews and surveys were used to identify factors that facilitate or hinder the integration of RES-related issues with entrepreneurship education. The main research goal of the article was to understand how entrepreneurship education influences the perception of renewable energy sources as an attractive and profitable investment and how it can support the development of social entrepreneurship and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The authors conducted an extensive literature review to identify research gaps in existing analyses. A lack of comprehensive empirical studies was identified that would comprehensively demonstrate how entrepreneurship education shapes attitudes and behaviors that foster interest in and implementation of RES technologies. Based on the obtained results, recommendations for educational systems were formulated, indicating the need to incorporate elements of entrepreneurial education into the process of shaping economic and social awareness. This approach can significantly contribute to increasing interest in renewable energy sources and thus strengthening the concept of sustainable development.