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International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

Entrepreneurial Human Capital as a Predictor of Student Competitiveness: Insights from Malaysian Universities

Husna Razali, Radin Siti Aishah Radin A. Rahman

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v15-i3/28844

Open access

Graduate unemployment and underemployment remain pressing concerns in Malaysia. Despite government efforts to embed entrepreneurship education in university curricula, graduates still struggle to stand out in a competitive job market. This study examines whether entrepreneurial human capital predicts student competitiveness among Malaysian undergraduates. It also assesses the current levels of entrepreneurial human capital and student competitiveness. A quantitative survey was conducted with 426 students from ten public and private universities using stratified random sampling. The findings show students possess a moderate-high level of entrepreneurial human capital (M = 3.842, SD = 0.475) and student competitiveness (M = 3.878, SD = 0.491). A significant positive relationship exists between entrepreneurial human capital and student competitiveness (r = 0.658, p < 0.001). Regression analysis shows entrepreneurial human capital predicts student competitiveness, explaining 43.3% of its variance. These findings suggest strengthening practical entrepreneurial skills in university curricula could help produce more competitive graduates. The study extends the Resource-Based View theory to the individual level and offers practical insights for policymakers and university administrators.

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Razali, H., & Rahman, R. S. A. R. A. (2026). Entrepreneurial Human Capital as a Predictor of Student Competitiveness: Insights from Malaysian Universities. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 15(3), 1208–1222.