Connections between participation in mini-companies and intrinsic motivation and effort at upper secondary school

Abstract

The EU focus on entrepreneurship education has partially been justified on the basis that it contributes to a more varied education and increases pupils' educational motivation. This article examines connections between participation in the company programme (CP) and pupils' intrinsic motivation and effort at upper secondary school. The study found that most pupils enjoyed CP as a form of work, but some pupils had a less good experience of participating in CP. Comparing intrinsic motivation and effort for pupils with no, low and high CP participation, it was found that those with low activity (less than hundred hours) experienced reduced intrinsic motivation and effort in school work. About 5,000 pupils (aged 16-19) at 25 schools in five countries took part in a pre- and post-test study.