Search Results (571)

Establishing an entrepreneurship education ecosystem is crucial for the continual nurturing of young entrepreneurs and, consequently, the enhancement of economic development. Beyond the expansion of entrepreneurship programs, the active involvement and support from relevant resources and external stakeholders are pivotal to constructing such ecosystems. However, obstacles arise from the lower intention of external stakeholders to participate, and constraints imposed by information technology, hindering the ecosystem’s development. The Metaverse, an innovative technology amalgamating three-dimensional virtual technologies with blockchain and artificial intelligence, emerges as a potential solution to overcome these barriers and construct an entrepreneurship education ecosystem. Despite this potential, there is a lack of analysis explaining how the Metaverse achieves this. To address this gap, a framework for entrepreneurship education ecosystems is established in this study, highlighting two barriers and elucidating how these barriers impede ecosystem construction. Furthermore, four efficiencies of the Metaverse are identified as key factors with positive effects in terms of surmounting barriers to ensure the successful establishment of an entrepreneurship education ecosystem: communication convenience, enhanced simulation environment, information filtering, and the creation of valuable information. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally disrupted assumptions about entrepreneurship, career planning, and professional development. This study explored how the pandemic influenced the entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduate business students in the United States. Using a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews with 31 students at a public Midwestern university, the research interpreted student narratives through the lenses of effectuation theory, resilience theory, and the theory of planned behavior. Findings revealed that many participants reframed entrepreneurship as a strategy for navigating economic uncertainty and enhancing personal agency. Students reported valuing adaptability, resourcefulness, and opportunity recognition, often experimenting with side hustles during the pandemic as a means of resilience. Their entrepreneurial thinking shifted from purely economic motivations toward aspirations for flexibility, self-fulfillment, and purposeful work. The study highlights the formative role of crisis contexts in shaping entrepreneurial identity among emerging professionals. It suggests that entrepreneurship education should move beyond traditional models, fostering skills for navigating complexity and building resilience. In doing so, the findings contribute to broader conversations about youth entrepreneurship, post-pandemic career development, and the evolving demands of the labor market in times of disruption. Full article

In higher education, the employability and entrepreneurship services play an essential role in the labor market insertion of graduates. The management of public relations promotes institutional projection, the creation of networks with companies, and the dissemination of initiatives to strengthen professional skills. This research analyzes how the communication strategies of Andalusian public universities improve employability and encourage entrepreneurship. A methodological triangulation is used: literature review, analysis of social networks with Fanpage Karma, and study of corporate websites. The results show a focus on counseling, training, workshops, job fairs, and networking events, strengthening the brand of universities and their commitment to the professional development of students. Full article

This study examined the impact of entrepreneurship education in sustainability on entrepreneurial intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The MEMORE macro was used to analyze within-subject mediation and enabled us to examine how entrepreneurial intention is affected by changes in the factors of the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control). The survey follows a questionnaire-based, pre-test-post-test design (the research involved 271 business administration students in Athens). A paired sample t-test was used to analyze changes in attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention before and after education. The results indicated that after the entrepreneurship course in sustainability, students indicated a significant positive change in entrepreneurial intention, attitude, and perceived behavioral control. MEMORE macro indicated that only the change in perceived behavioral control positively influenced the increase in entrepreneurial intention levels. Based on these findings, entrepreneurship education in sustainability enhances students’ entrepreneurial intentions by increasing their perceived behavioral control. As a result, students’ confidence and knowledge regarding sustainable entrepreneurship are fundamental to the development of sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating targeted pedagogical approaches that enhance perceived behavioral control in sustainable entrepreneurship education by equipping students with practical knowledge and skills to overcome psychological barriers. The use of the MEMORE macro highlights this study’s innovation, uncovering new relationships between the examined variables. Full article

This research aims to determine the utilization levels of local products and the challenges and opportunities of creating a recognizable food-centered cultural identity based on collaborative networks developed between agriculture and tourism. This has the potential to strengthen collaborative entrepreneurship. It uniquely contributes to the existing literature by exploring the connections between agri-food and tourism, while proposing strategies to maximize business opportunities centered on food culture. Descriptive and inferential statistics are conducted based on primary data collected by distributing a questionnaire to 59 public and private organizations in the Peloponnese region in Greece, which has significant agricultural production but limited tourist flows. The results indicate a lack of collective action and business recognition of the value of regional food culture among participants. The human resources employed in tourism lack the skills to highlight traditional food heritage. The presence of structural and operational barriers undermines efforts to facilitate communication, manage suppliers, and enhance the visibility of products designated with Geographical Indications. This paper offers preliminary results; however, extensive future studies are needed to validate the findings fully. The study highlights key implications: Improved communication between stakeholders could enhance the management of the local food network. Agri-food and tourism businesses can develop educational programs and food-focused tourism packages that promote social cohesion and preserve cultural heritage. Full article

Entrepreneurship serves as a vital engine of economic development, yet the mechanisms translating entrepreneurial intention into behavior have gradually emerged. This study employs bibliometric analysis of 61 SSCI-indexed articles (2014–2024) using CiteSpace to examine co-authorship networks, co-citation patterns, and research hotspots. Our findings demonstrate that individual-level factors (personality traits, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurship education) drive both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behavior. More importantly, environmental factors (university milieu, regional social legitimacy, and national cultural dimensions) moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and behavior. The study also identifies a temporal pattern in the entrepreneurial intention–behavior correlation. These results advance theoretical understanding of the intention–behavior transition and offer practical insights for entrepreneurship education and policy design. Full article

This study investigates the impact of digital technology propagation, specifically artificial intelligence (AI) and the TikTok application, on enhancing student entrepreneurs’ entrepreneurial knowledge, business experience, and the performance of their ventures. This research employs a mixed-methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative elements, with the quantitative aspect analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM–PLS) and the qualitative aspect analyzed through in-depth interviews with student entrepreneurs. The survey included participation from 125 students, with three additional students serving as key informants. Research findings suggest that AI directly enhances entrepreneurial knowledge and business performance, whereas TikTok indirectly influences business success by affecting the acquisition of entrepreneurial learning. The utilization of AI has a substantial direct impact on entrepreneurial expertise and business performance. In contrast, the utilization of TikTok has a moderate influence on entrepreneurial knowledge, which in turn mediates its effect on entrepreneurial success. Offer practical implications for higher education institutions to integrate AI-driven analytics and social media marketing strategies into entrepreneurship curricula. Future research should investigate the regulatory framework, long-term implications, and the inclusion of other digital platforms to refine the digital transformation of entrepreneurship education further. Full article

This study investigates the interconnected roles of financial planning, environmental consciousness, and artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship among merchants in Machala, Ecuador. Through structural equation modeling analysis of data from 300 entrepreneurs, we found that financial planning positively influences both sustainable entrepreneurship (β = 0.508, p < 0.001) and environmental consciousness (β = 0.421, p < 0.001). Environmental consciousness demonstrates a significant impact on sustainable business development (β = 0.504, p < 0.001), while AI integration emerges as a powerful enabler of both financial planning (β = 0.345, p < 0.001) and sustainable entrepreneurship (β = 0.664, p < 0.001). The findings reveal how AI technologies can democratize access to sophisticated sustainability planning tools in resource-constrained environments, potentially transforming how emerging market entrepreneurs approach environmental challenges. This research advances our understanding of sustainable entrepreneurship by demonstrating that successful environmental business practices in developing economies require an integrated approach combining financial literacy, ecological awareness, and technological adoption. The results suggest that policy interventions supporting sustainable entrepreneurship should simultaneously address financial capabilities, environmental education, and technological accessibility to maximize their impact on sustainable development. Full article

Against the backdrop of evolving innovation and entrepreneurship education, this study investigates the multifaceted factors influencing college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship in China. By analyzing 98 cases of student-led ventures and applying principal component analysis (PCA) via SPSS 19.0, the research identifies key determinants across individual, institutional, and societal dimensions. The empirical results reveal strong correlations between entrepreneurial risk levels and practical experience (r = 0.82), pre-market research (r = 0.84), participation in entrepreneurship courses (r = 0.72), university innovation platform utilization (r = 0.75), social financing intensity (r = 0.68), and regional economic development (r = 0.53). Individual-level factors demonstrate the most profound influence, with institutional and societal resources providing complementary support. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted recommendations to enhance student engagement in practical training, optimize university–platform integration, and improve policy-backed financing ecosystems, thereby fostering the sustainable development of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities. Full article

This study examines the relationship between fear of failure, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy among university business students from four emerging Latin American economies: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. This research addresses the need to understand the psychological factors that influence entrepreneurship, particularly in developing economies. Using non-probability convenience sampling, surveys were distributed between June 2021 and August 2022, and 961 valid responses were obtained. Scales from renowned researchers were used, which were translated and semantically validated in Spanish to measure the three variables. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with PLS. The overall results reveal that fear of failure negatively affects entrepreneurial passion, while entrepreneurial passion has a positive and significant relationship with entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Furthermore, entrepreneurial passion has a positive and significant relationship with fear of failure and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, with substantial differences between countries. Gender differences were also identified: in women, all relationships in the model were significant, while in men, the direct effect of fear of failure on entrepreneurial self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance. These findings contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by demonstrating that the relationship between these psychological variables varies by context (country) and gender, contradicting the notion of a universal effect. Full article

This study explores the influence of team communication (TC) and shared mental models (SMMs) on entrepreneurial team efficacy (ETE) within the context of Chinese higher education, introducing a dual-path model to reconcile the discrepancy between policy expectations and practical outcomes in entrepreneurship education. Utilizing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on data from 475 university-based questionnaires from March to May in 2024 in China, the research reveals that structured internal communication significantly enhances the alignment of learning goals, teammate cognition, and activity synchronization, thereby fostering SMMs as a pivotal psychological infrastructure. The findings indicate that shared learning goals and cognitive convergence are primary drivers of task performance, whereas coordinated activity states are more influential in strengthening relational cohesion. The study challenges the conventional “communication frequency–efficacy paradox” by demonstrating distinct pathways through which internal and external communication mechanisms differentiated impact task and relational outcomes. Additionally, demographic analyses highlight that team maturity and age diversity positively correlate with task efficacy, while gender and disciplinary heterogeneity show no significant association. Theoretically, this research advances the understanding of team collaboration dynamics and contextualizes Western entrepreneurship theories within China’s collectivist framework. Practically, it provides robust, evidence-based strategies for refining communication protocols and enhancing both collaborative efficiency and innovation in entrepreneurial education settings. Full article

Having the proper infrastructure is crucial because it fosters prosperous enterprise and a skilled labor force capable of solving environmental issues. There are worries about the potential negative effects of human capital centered on innovation, despite studies showing benefits. This study examines how contextual factors such as business environment, infrastructure, and human capital, influence South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Multiple Regression Technique was used for analysis. Findings showed that each of the three factors has a remarkable impact, with business environment showing the highest positive relationship to the Ecosystem Index. The results highlight the significance of focusing on sustainable activities when developing human capital. To promote a more sustainable entrepreneurship environment, the study suggests that policymakers should implement incentives, allocate finances for infrastructure, and establish educational and knowledge-sharing initiatives to encourage the sustainability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Future research directions will focus on investigating how additional contextual factors affect ecosystems in various regions and industries. The study also suggests the evaluation of gender equality in access to financial and business assistance. Full article

We explored the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the English proficiency of students in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course through a startup product development curriculum. In the course, real-world business scenarios of startup companies were offered for students to analyze English communication skills on crowdfunding platforms and in product promotional videos. The EFL students used entrepreneurial skills to create and present their product videos in a team to the class who acted as potential investors. Pre- and post-test analyses were conducted to assess the impact of AI-assisted learning on enhancing English listening and reading ability. Significant improvements were observed, suggesting AI-enhanced entrepreneurial experiences and the listening and reading ability of the EFL students. Full article

Entrepreneurship development strategies are crucial for translating academic potential into economic and societal value. To achieve this, educational institutions must understand the factors influencing students’ entrepreneurial intentions. While research on academic entrepreneurship exists, comparative studies that explore these factors across different national contexts are scarce. This study addresses this gap through a comparative analysis of student entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, Malta, and Turkey, investigating key factors, such as attitudes toward entrepreneurship (ATE), the role of entrepreneurship education (EEdu), and entrepreneurial inspirations. Based on 415 survey responses collected between April and June 2024, hypothesized relationships were tested using appropriate bivariate statistical analyses. The results indicate that a positive evaluation of running one’s own business significantly increases entrepreneurial intentions, particularly when the business is perceived as safe, realistic, pleasant, and strong. The university’s role is pivotal: students largely relied on institutional support for their business initiatives; showed a strong preference for practical, hands-on educational methods; and identified a lack of entrepreneurship education as a key obstacle. A family background with entrepreneurial parents also positively influenced students’ preference for running their own businesses. Interestingly, the findings challenge a simple dichotomy between employment and entrepreneurship. A preference for full-time employment did not diminish entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting students may view these career paths as complementary or sequential. Conversely, preferences for part-time or self-employment did not have a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial initiatives. These findings underscore the need for universities to provide tailored, practical support and to recognize the complex and non-linear career trajectories envisioned by modern students. Full article

Around the world, many post-conflict societies face the pressing challenge of reintegrating former combatants, especially women, into community life in ways that promote peace and sustainable development. Educational strategies that foster Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Complex Thinking are increasingly recognized as essential tools in this process, helping to rebuild social cohesion and empower local leadership. This study evaluates the impact of the SEL4C methodology on strengthening key competencies in Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Complex Thinking among 49 women signatories of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, who currently live in the Mariana Páez Territorial Training and Reincorporation Space (ETCR). Through a pre- and post-intervention design using validated instruments and statistical analyses (paired t-tests and effect size calculations), the study found significant improvements in areas such as Social Awareness, Social Innovation, and Scientific Thinking. Although the gains in Complex Thinking were moderate, the results show that the methodology effectively enhanced leadership skills and the ability to address systemic challenges—both crucial for successful reintegration. In practical terms, the findings support the use of SEL4C by organizations working in peacebuilding, educational institutions, and public programs that seek to empower women in vulnerable contexts. The methodology’s adaptability and evidence-based structure make it a valuable resource for designing participatory training processes focused on innovation, sustainability, and community transformation. Full article