FACTORS AFFECTING GRADUATE ENGAGEMENT IN ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIY IN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF WOLAITA SODO TOWN

Abstract

This study examines factors affecting Graduates engagement in entrepreneurial activityin Wolaita Sodo Town, Wolaita Zone, SNNPR, and Ethiopia. Descriptive research design with cross sectional data type was employed and the samples of 233 graduates are selected by Snow ball sampling techniques for collecting data. The data are qualitative and quantitative in nature collected from both the primary and secondary sources. The primary sources data collected by using structured and semi structured questioner. The collected data analyzed by using both descriptive statics and advanced econometric model. SPSS version 21 software is used to regress all of quantitative data collected in the survey. The findings of the study show that out of ten variables, five variables are significant at less than 1%, 5% and 10% probability level. The variables; Age, Have starting capital, social value, bureaucracy and Have entrepreneur role model are statistically significant and have a positive association while the bureaucracy which has a negative association. This research recommend that all concerned government and nongovernment organizations should work cooperatively on different capacity building work to fill the gap related to the lower age, to provide affordable alternative sources of finance, preparing workshops on the area of entrepreneurship, giving a special attention in order to eliminate a bureaucracy and prepare a stage for creating awareness and demonstrating to share the experience.