Entrepreneurship Education in Instilling an Entrepreneurial Mindset as an Alternative Towards Job Creation: A Systematic Literature Review
Pulane Adelaide Molomo 
, Mochina Mphuthi and Nosiphiwe Mgudlwa
Issue: Vol.6 No.9 Article 28 pp.2127 – 2142
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256928 | Published online 28th August, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The escalating global youth unemployment rate, coupled with limited exposure to entrepreneurship education, exacerbates socio-economic challenges. This study thus explored how cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets through education can contribute to job creation. Using a systematic literature review approach, the study examined research published from 2014 to 2024, sourcing data from Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science. Out of 1250 articles identified, 15 qualitative studies were selected for thematic analysis based on their relevance to the research objectives. It was found that limited exposure to entrepreneurship education significantly hampers efforts to attract youth to entrepreneurial activities. A lack of foundational knowledge of entrepreneurship reduces young people’s ability to respond to socio-economic challenges creatively, including recognising and acting on opportunities for self-employment. The review concluded that entrepreneurship education is critical in shifting students’ mindsets towards embracing entrepreneurship, enhancing job creation, and economic participation. Furthermore, the study emphasises that entrepreneurship education fosters essential cognitive characteristics such as creativity, risk-taking, and problem-solving skills crucial for successful entrepreneurial actions. Without integrating entrepreneurship education into higher education curricula, particularly at the undergraduate level, youth unemployment in South Africa is likely to persist. The study underscores the importance of mindset transformation in motivating youth to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours, and advocates for the inclusion of practical, experience-based education to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, economic growth, entrepreneurial mindset, youth unemployment
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Dr Pulane Adelaide Molomo, is a lecturer at the Central University of Technology in trajectory towards a senior lecturer position. She holds a PhD in Education, Masters in Development Studies and Honours: Educational Leadership and Management. Her research focuses on curriculum, assessment, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), government and leadership, Education-Entrepreneurship. She takes part in annual Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), WIL activities, and participating in community engagement by supporting Non-Government Organisation.
Mr. Mochina Mphuthi is an eLearning Support Officer at the Center for Elearning and Educational Technologies at CUT. He holds an Honours degree in Education Management and is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Management Sciences with a focus on Entrepreneurial Management at the Central University of Technology. He research areas includes : Curriculum Practice , Teacher Education , Elearning , Entrepreneurship Education and transformation in higher education.
Mrs. Nosiphiwe Mgudlwa, a lecturer at the Central University of Technology, is pursuing a PhD in Management Sciences. Her research focuses on agripreneurship in rural South Africa. Her interests include entrepreneurship, edupreneurship, and financial management. She actively contributes to SoTL and SWEEP, promoting student-centered learning and women empowerment.
Molomo, Pulane Adelaide, Mphuthi Mochina, and Mgudlwa Nosiphiwe. “Entrepreneurship Education in Instilling an Entrepreneurial Mindset as an Alternative Towards Job Creation: A Systematic Literature Review,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 9 (2025): 2127 – 2142, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256928.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
