ACADEMIC EXPOSURE TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTEREST

Academic Exposure to the development of Entrepreneurial Interest

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Outcome of the study4

Description4

Methodology6

Findings8

Conclusion9

References10

Academic Exposure to the development of Entrepreneurial Interest

Introduction

Entrepreneurial activity is the backbone of every economy and is praised by many as a means to overcome poverty. Now, this approach is not indigenous to developing countries. The UK Government for example has seen enterprise as a vital contributor to economy's health and expressed its commitment to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business and started a nationwide drive towards an "enterprise culture". Educational programs to enhance entrepreneurial activities are central for business schools and similar institutions all over the world. A major point of debate is the question how to best train future entrepreneurs, that is, if entrepreneurship can be taught at all. We followed the arguments of Gibb (2002) and introduced an action-oriented, experimental approach to enterprise education, based on evolutionary theory. Thereby we were able to train our students to focus on entrepreneurial outcomes and have them experience the processes and the context which makes these achievements possible.

Experimental learning also fosters creativity and the use of peer evaluation. More often than not, universities and business schools struggle with the necessary flexibility to provide such a learning environment. The South London College is no exception. Despite all that, we agree with Henry et al. (2003), that programs like these are effective and strongly beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs. Thereby, we fulfill Whitehead's claim that it is the role of the university is to preserve the connection between knowledge and the rest of life and to trigger within students an urge towards new creative adventures.

Outcome of the study

This paper concentrates on the learning processes triggered through engaging in entrepreneurial activities. The research was conducted during the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship at the South London College. Situated within the School of Management Studies (within the Commerce Faculty), the core course is called The Genesis Project and is taught to fourth year students. Inter-alia, the course is designed to provide an intensive action-learning platform, in a highly entrepreneurial environment, from which students delve into and explore key aspects of entrepreneurship such as creativity, innovation and risk-taking..

Description

Entrepreneurs are characterized by innovative behavior with the main goal of obtaining profit and growth. These individuals require a certain acceptance of risk and the willingness to use their "gut feelings". The prevailing understanding - particularly of business schools - is that any aspect of entrepreneurship can be passed on through classical educations. It remains to be seen whether the entrepreneurial mindset can be taught in a classroom at all.

Still, there is little evidence for this position. Due to decision-making under insufficient information (or no information at all) entrepreneurs operate on the basis of trust and competence of those involved. In contrast to the entrepreneurial mindset, the processes, practices, and decision-making activities involved in entrepreneurship is summarized as entrepreneurial behaviour, which can be taught in business ...