A Comparative Study on Entrepreneurial Competence of Chinese and Mongolian University Students: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Based on Two Universities

Abstract

Entrepreneurial competence, as a key factor influencing the success or failure of university students in entrepreneurship, has increasingly become a major focus for higher education institutions in the context of internationalization. Taking Guilin University of Technology in China and Mongolian National University as examples, this study employs a mixed-methods approach, conducting surveys and in-depth interviews with 612 students and 32 faculty members and students from both universities to compare differences and similarities in entrepreneurial competence across four dimensions: entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personality between Chinese and Mongolian students. The findings indicate that students at Guilin University of Technology possess relatively comprehensive and systematic entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, along with strong team spirit, while students at Mongolian National University demonstrate heightened risk awareness and greater sensitivity to opportunity recognition. These differences are primarily attributed to cultural traditions, educational systems, and economic environments. This research enhances our understanding of the factors shaping entrepreneurial competence among university students in different countries and offers insights for improving cross-cultural entrepreneurial education.