The perception of entrepreneurship culture by internal university stakeholders

• Published in: European business review Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 443 - 457
• Main Authors: Kusio, Tomasz, Fiore, Mariantonietta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 22.05.2020; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Colleges & universities; Culture; Curricula; Economic development; Economic growth; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship education; Funding; Higher education; Innovations; Knowledge management; Literature reviews; Perceptions; Social responsibility; Stakeholders; Poland; Europe; Poland; Innovation; Internal stakeholder; Higher education; Entrepreneurship education
• ISSN: 0955-534X; 1758-7107
• DOI: 10.1108/EBR-05-2019-0087

Purpose As nowadays the knowledge economy puts a strong emphasis on the universities’ role in the present economy, the recent challenge focuses on the interrelations between entrepreneurship culture and academic engagement. This study aims to investigate the new role that universities are assuming as entrepreneurial entities and gather information taking place internal university stakeholders and students’ perception on entrepreneurship education. The research hypothesis stands entrepreneurship is mainly supposed as being professionally and educationally active rather than setting up a company. Design/methodology/approach The present study carries out a study on the perception of entrepreneurship education conducted among students of the University of Economics in Krakow in the winter semester of the academic year 2017/2018. The selected target group meets the criteria of the different national country origin of the respondents. Another criterion for selecting the target group was diversity in the field of students’ academic interests. Findings The results of the study give a clear view of the still valid confirmation of the growing academic role in terms of entrepreneurship culture development that appears necessary to address the demand for global competitiveness. In particular, it is possible to categorize two groups of people, moderate and strong supporters of recognition that entrepreneurship is not only about starting a company but also at the same time that it is an expression of its own dynamic and entrepreneurial attitudes. Practical implications As the importance of entrepreneurship in the context of an entrepreneurial university is rising and the definition of entrepreneurship goes beyond its understanding of starting a business, universities and academic engagement can and have to better address and focus their planning of the courses and their contents. Originality/value The study sheds some light and gives some interesting perspectives on the issue of different levels of entrepreneurship education expectations against different levels at which this education should be provided. In addition, it is in line with the EU entrepreneurship competence framework (EntreComp) aimed at defining tools to improve the entrepreneurial capacity and culture of EU citizens and organizations by means of consensus among stakeholders and by establishing a bond between education and study.