Discussion: View Thread

Hi Jeff,

Good question. Your suggestion of self-efficacy lends itself toward the entrepreneur's 'inner space' and/or personal qualities, but when you say "become a better entrepreneur" I also began to wonder about dv's that might reflect become 'better', like repeat founding, funding success, increased funding amounts, revenues sooner, profits larger, and so on. Here are a few quick findings in this ballpark... https://knowtro.com/search;q=funding%20entrepreneur;page=1;pageSize=20

Also, a lot of situational factors may change around the entrepreneur that might make them be, or appear to be, better, such as entrepreneur income, entrepreneur age, entrepreneur family support, knowing entrepreneurs, etc. Here are some quick findings in this area... https://knowtro.com/search;q=entrepreneurial;page=1;pageSize=20

I know you are well-read in this space and I'm reluctant to add more thoughts when you may have had specific things in mind, but perhaps this will help. Good luck.  

My question is how is ability measured?  Different from skills, knowledge, etc.  Would love to know the answer as it is part of the habitual entrepreneur project on which I am participating

Dear Jeff and others:

If we don't believe we as teachers can enhance our students' ability to be or become successful entrepreneurs, I guess we'd better get out of the business. More pertinently, though, Jeff's question speaks to the importance of our teaching our students not just about entrepreneurship, but to do entrepreneurship – to pursue opportunities and be entrepreneurs. For those who are doing the former (teaching about entrepreneurship) and wishing to change to the latter, Mike Morris of the University of Florida runs a great faculty development program each autumn, The Experiential Classroom.  See http://warrington.ufl.edu/centers/cei/faculty/experiential/ for info.

John W. Mullins, PhD

Associate Professor of Management Practice

Marketing and Entrepreneurship

London Business School

Sussex Place, Regent's Park

London NW1 4SA

United Kingdom

Phone: + 44 (0) 207 000 8161

Web: http://faculty.london.edu/jmullins/

My latest book: www.TheCustomerFundedBusiness.com

I suppose it depends upon your definition of "entrepreneurial ability", but there is a large body of literature (much of it in the entrepreneurial education space) demonstrating  the effectiveness of entrepreneurial education.  People have looked at everything from how EE leads to a wide ranging variety of outcomes ranging from opportunity identification to job creation and high-growth firms.  There are many pre and post studies in the literature that address "change" over time.  There are many studies at the macro level and a growing body at the individual level.  Many individual countries and organizations such as Kauffman have conducted research on the effectiveness of their public policy educational programs.   

I believe the real questions are "what is entrepreneurial ability" and "how do we measure it"?  Is it the ability to create new ventures? Maybe entrepreneurial ability is about determining that new venture creation is not a good career choice in which case we might desire fewer start-ups.  Is entrepreneurial ability related to the ability to fail fast and start again?  Is it about the ability to grow high financial performing firms?  Or is it about creating firms that have a high societal value?  Is it about being able to better identify opportunities?  Is it about developing a passion for entrepreneurial activity?  Is entrepreneurial ability about developing an entrepreneurial mindset that might help individuals throughout their life even if they never create a new venture?  If our concern is only with firm performance and survival then I think strategy scholars have competently addressed this topic.   

In my mind this is really where the rubber meets the road.  What matters? And how do determine whether our educational programs develop knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial ability to meet those goals?  Certainly a change in entrepreneurial SE could be one measure. 

Dawn

I suppose it depends upon your definition of "entrepreneurial ability", but there is a large body of literature (much of it in the entrepreneurial education space) demonstrating  the effectiveness of entrepreneurial education.  People have looked at everything from how EE leads to a wide ranging variety of outcomes ranging from opportunity identification to job creation and high-growth firms.  There are many pre and post studies in the literature that address "change" over time.  There are many studies at the macro level and a growing body at the individual level.  Many individual countries and organizations such as Kauffman have conducted research on the effectiveness of their public policy educational programs.   

I believe the real questions are "what is entrepreneurial ability" and "how do we measure it"?  Is it the ability to create new ventures? Maybe entrepreneurial ability is about determining that new venture creation is not a good career choice in which case we might desire fewer start-ups.  Is entrepreneurial ability related to the ability to fail fast and start again?  Is it about the ability to grow high financial performing firms?  Or is it about creating firms that have a high societal value?  Is it about being able to better identify opportunities?  Is it about developing a passion for entrepreneurial activity?  Is entrepreneurial ability about developing an entrepreneurial mindset that might help individuals throughout their life even if they never create a new venture?  If our concern is only with firm performance and survival then I think strategy scholars have competently addressed this topic.   

In my mind this is really where the rubber meets the road.  What matters? And how do determine whether our educational programs develop knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial ability to meet those goals?  Certainly a change in entrepreneurial SE could be one measure. 

Dawn