COMPONENTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL ECOSYSTEM SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ENHANCEMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS AT RAJAMANGALA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the components of the educational ecosystem supporting entrepreneurial skills enhancement among business administration students at Rajamangala University of Technology. An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods design was employed, consisting of two phases. Phase 1 utilized qualitative inquiry through in-depth interviews with eight purposively selected experts, comprising two representatives each from four groups: faculty administrators, academics, entrepreneurs, and business development specialists. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Phase 2 employed quantitative research using a structured questionnaire administered to 274 faculty administrators and instructors from the Faculties of Business Administration across the nine Rajamangala Universities of Technology. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table at a 95% confidence level. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that the educational ecosystem, grounded in Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, comprised five components: Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, and Chronosystem. The overall ecosystem was rated at a high level (  = 4.30, S.D. = 0.358), with the Microsystem receiving the highest mean score (  = 4.51). Both qualitative and quantitative findings converged, indicating that entrepreneurial skills enhancement originates from students themselves, supported by faculty members serving as mentors, families providing essential encouragement, and institutions creating conducive learning environments. These findings provide practical implications for faculty administrators at the nine Rajamangala Universities of Technology in designing educational ecosystems that cultivate graduates who are entrepreneurially competent, ethically grounded, and lifelong learners, capable of generating authentic and sustainable value for themselves, their communities, and the modern global business world.