Evaluating the university-based activities towards the concept of an entrepreneurial university: reflections on a case of a HEI
[ 1 ] Instytut Logistyki, Wydział Inżynierii Zarządzania, Politechnika Poznańska | [ P ] employee
2024
scientific article
english
- entrepreneurial university
- entrepreneurship education
- internationalization
- students' reflections
EN Purpose: This paper attempts to shed some light on the entrepreneurial university concept through the examination of a selected technical university in Poland in the opinions of international master's students. The main objective of the research is to gain insights of students’ evaluation of entrepreneurial activities, incentives and support measures offered to them at the university as well as to identify areas requiring improvement or change to fit into the concept of an entrepreneurial university. Design/methodology/approach: The nature of the case study is descriptive and practical orientated. The technical university case of implementation of the entrepreneurial university framework was selected with a purposeful sampling technique. Primary data were obtained in 2022-2023 using the method of reflection (112 reflective essays from international master's students), participatory observation, inductive method with an interpretative approach, and inference in the form of recommendations. Findings: Even as a subjective and descriptive case study, it illustrates the real entrepreneurial practice in implementing the concept of an entrepreneurial university. The findings provide insight into students’ expectations for effective result-driven entrepreneurship education and business collaboration. Furthermore, the study highlights areas requiring improvement to build more effective entrepreneurial pathways and inclusion for international students. Research limitations/implications: Due to the purposeful selected informants within the case and its qualitative nature, no generable conclusions can be drawn. Moreover, the subjective nature of the essays and the language barrier could have influenced the perception and evaluation of entrepreneurial incentives and support measures offered at the university by foreign-language students. Practical implications: The examples of good practice reflected in the study and the recommendations for improvement can be an inspiration for academics, students and university decision-makers involved with entrepreneurship, internationalization and the study at higher education more broadly. Originality/value: The originality of the conducted qualitative research lies in presenting the real university context and international students’ reflections on supporting activities and gaps in the field of entrepreneurship development at a technical university. The value resulting from the study are recommendations with practical implications for the University authorities, the academic community and institutions supporting entrepreneurship.
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CC BY-NC-ND (attribution - noncommercial - no derivatives)
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