ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGEMENT IN ENHANCING STUDENT CREATIVITY AT STATE VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

Creativity is a critical competency in vocational education, essential for preparing learners to become innovative and self-reliant graduates. This study examines the implementation of entrepreneurship management in enhancing student creativity at SMK Negeri 7 Muaro Jambi. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation involving the school principal, entrepreneurship teachers, and vocational students. Data were analyzed using interactive qualitative analysis (data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing). Findings reveal that entrepreneurship management operates through four systematic stages: planning, organizing, implementation, and evaluation. Experiential activities including product development, collaborative teamwork, and digital marketing foster students’ ideation flexibility, problem-solving adaptability, and self-directed innovation. Key supporting factors encompass structured teacher mentoring, adequate learning facilities, high student motivation, and institutional policy support. Conversely, constraints such as limited startup capital, insufficient marketing experience, heterogeneous creativity levels, and restricted practical time hinder optimal outcomes. The study concludes that well-structured entrepreneurship management significantly enhances student creativity when reinforced by continuous pedagogical guidance and sustainable institutional support.