Title: Fast-tracking exports in MENA: boosting opportunities through entrepreneurship education and government policies

Authors: Amir Emami; Mostafa Keikhay Farzane; Hamza Khastar

Addresses: Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University, Somayyeh St. No. 242, 15999-64515 Tehran, Iran ' Department of Management and Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Daneshgah Blvd., 9816745845 Zahedan, Iran ' Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University, Somayyeh St. No. 242, 15999-64515 Tehran, Iran

Abstract: This research examines the role of post-school entrepreneurship education on exports in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report. It investigates the mediating role of opportunity perception and the moderating role of government policies. The study utilises a quantitative, applied, and survey-type approach with secondary data from the latest GEM database (2018). Statistical analysis is conducted using SPSS and AMOS, employing structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings reveal that post-school entrepreneurship education significantly influences exports and opportunity perception in MENA countries. Opportunity perception partially mediates the relationship between education and exports, while government policies moderate this association. The study emphasises the importance of entrepreneurship education in developing competencies and fostering export growth through improved opportunity perception among entrepreneurs.

Keywords: entrepreneurial education; export performance; opportunity perception; government policies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETRADE.2024.138674

International Journal of Electronic Trade, 2024 Vol.1 No.2, pp.114 - 129

Received: 01 Sep 2023
Accepted: 12 Nov 2023
Published online: 23 May 2024 *

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