Sustainable entrepreneurship education for circular economy: emerging perspectives in Europe
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 8 October 2021
Issue publication date: 2 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to contribute to the Circular Economy debate from the Entrepreneurship Education perspective. Despite scholars' growing interest in both these research streams, scarce consideration is given to the comprehension of their mutual implications and meaning.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on a cross-case analysis. It compares 16 higher education programmes launched by Universities in Europe aimed to create competences and skills for Circular Economy in students with different profiles. The analysis provides a critical view of the emerging trends for the entrepreneurship education skills and competencies needed for the emerging circular entrepreneurship paradigm.
Findings
The paper discusses the main trends of Entrepreneurship Education focused on Circular Economy debate at the European level: rationale and learning objectives (why); contents (what), target students and stakeholders (who) and the learning processes (how). Four thematic areas are identified as common patterns: circular economy business model, green supply chain management, technology entrepreneurship and innovation and public policies and institutional frameworks.
Research limitations/implications
The paper sheds new light on a still under-researched area, suggesting several implications and avenues for future research in Circular Economy and Entrepreneurship Education. Limitations regard the need to analyse education programmes from a larger geographical area, to take into consideration interesting experiences in the rest of the world and to also collect quantitative data.
Practical implications
Practical implications arise for the development of learning initiatives for the Circular Economy: learning objectives and new thematic areas focused on circular, sustainable and innovative rethinking of the process for creating value in the incumbent companies; exploring meaning and benefits of collaborative approaches and participation in the circular economy innovation ecosystem and developing advanced models for soft-skills development in terms of leadership, motivational and creative skills.
Originality/value
The debate on CE can also be rooted in the paradigm of entrepreneurship as a core process to advance knowledge on valuable and sustainable innovation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research was conceived within the project CIRCLE–IN “Promoting CIRCuLar Economy INvestments and policies in the cross-border area of Greece–Italy” - (Project Code 5002953), managed by University of Salento (Italy) and other international partners within the first call of the Programme Interreg Grecia-Italia 2014–2020. The project was aimed to develop innovative business and entrepreneurial models within the Circular Economy context.
Citation
Del Vecchio, P., Secundo, G., Mele, G. and Passiante, G. (2021), "Sustainable entrepreneurship education for circular economy: emerging perspectives in Europe", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 27 No. 8, pp. 2096-2124. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-03-2021-0210
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited