Social entrepreneurship is on the rise and social enterprises are solving some of the most critical and enduring social problems by using innovative, pragmatic and sustainable business models. Access to knowledge thanks to the Internet and rapid expansion of the knowledge economy are opening new opportunities for social ventures. With knowledge-based social entrepreneurship where knowledge is the primary resource, more pressing social problems can be addressed by using advanced technologies. This book investigates this emerging concept, possibilities that it holds, its place in today’s economy, and links bridges between knowledge, innovation, and social entrepreneurship. Academics, entrepreneurs, students, and NGOs will find the theoretical and practical information presented in this book extremely valuable.
Traditionally, the study of entrepreneurial behavior focuses on such factors as (i) the personality characteristics that distinguish the entrepreneur from non-entrepreneur and (ii) demographic characteristics such gender, age, familiar antecedents and education. With particular respect to investigating the development, acquisition, and dissemination of entrepreneurial skills and behaviors, the authors focus on the university environment, as a locus of research and innovation, where students are exposed to a wide variety of influences that are enhanced by a high degree of connectivity. The underlying theme of this volume is to develop our understanding of the sociology of student entrepreneurial behavior and in doing so attempt to synthesize literature investigating individual talent with the literature on concurrent knowledge sourcing in the pursuit of entrepreneurial activities. Specifically, the authors investigate the degree to which access to diverse knowledge (in addition to such psychological characteristics and tolerance of ambiguity and risk taking) influences the nature and probability of entrepreneurial success. Moreover, they explore the role of social media and social networking in facilitating access to distributed and disparate information and knowledge. Their research addresses such timely questions as: Where do entrepreneurial opportunities come from? How can higher education best stimulate the creation of firms emanating from young and smart minds in colleges and universities? What is the value of MOOCs for frequent, early, and “thick” communication among the various specialties needed to accomplish entrepreneurial projects? How do we know whether social media affect students’ responses to new knowledge and new ideas? To what extent do educational practices affect racial and ethnic differences in student entrepreneurship? What is the role of the indigenous minority student entrepreneur in establishing high-technology firms? The result is a multi-dimensional approach that sheds light on the dynamics of education, knowledge creation, social networking, innovation and new business development.
This open access book offers unique and novel views on the social innovation landscape, tools, practices, pedagogies, and research in the context of higher education. International, multi-disciplinary academics and industry leaders present new developments, research evidence, and practice expertise on social innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs), across academic and professional disciplines. The book includes a selected set of peer-reviewed chapters presenting different perspectives against which relevant actors can identify and analyse social innovation in HEIs. The volume demonstrates how HEIs can respond to societal challenges, support positive social change, and contribute to the development of international public policy discourse. It answers the question ‘how does the present higher education system, in different countries, promote social innovation and create social change and impact’. In answering this question, the book identifies factors driving success as well as obstacles. Furthermore, it examines how higher education innovation assists societal challenges and investigates the benefits of effective social innovation engagement by HEIs. The interdisciplinary approach of the volume makes it a must-read for scholars, students, policy-makers, and practitioners of economics, education, business and management, political science, and sociology interested in a better understanding of social innovation.
Universities are fundamental to the contemporary knowledge economy. They directly and indirectly support economic growth in both developing and advanced economies. In addition to their traditional teaching and research functions, they often also have important roles in supporting regional development and urban regeneration, as well as involvement in fostering international relations, in , cultural developments and in enhancing social cohesion. While higher education institutions in many countries are often assigned key roles in economic and social policy prescriptions, exactly what those roles are and how they should be carried out are often unclear. Universities and the Knowledge Economy provides a much-needed theoretical and empirical analysis of these functions, taking a critical look at the complex connections between knowledge creation, the knowledge economy, and higher education today. This volume: Brings together work on these topics by international experts, reporting and analysing recent policy developments and research Shows the significance of the university’s role in the knowledge economy, and the precise roles that it can play. Presents a range of studies showing how universities interact with other knowledge producers and users, and how these interactions can be managed to achieve the most effective applications of knowledge Universities are multi-faceted institutions that everywhere are accorded special status. Universities and the Knowledge Economy examines how these institutions carry our knowledge production and application, and how their distinctive characters affect what they do. . This title is of both intellectual and operational relevance, and would be suitable for those interested in higher education and policy and practice, and in the theory of higher education. Paul Temple is Reader in Higher Education Management and Co-Director of the Centre for Higher Education Studies at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK.
This book offers novel and contemporary thinking of entrepreneurship and change. It espouses the distinct but reciprocal nature of both concepts to unravel high levels of transformation, both in terms of social structures and social relations, inherent in new venture creation. It provides insights from a theoretical, educational, and industrial context with emphasis on holistic approaches to change. Each chapter illuminates distinct elements of the entrepreneurial landscape and the importance of learning, creativity and innovation as tools for practice and knowledge management. This book is an essential resource for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers because it provides new outlooks and dimensions on the transformational powers of entrepreneurship and change.
The rapid rise of knowledge-based economies has revolutionized the perceptions and practices of globalized business. Recent developments in engineering, electronics, and biotechnology have expanded the very definition of entrepreneurship in today’s international market, weaving discussions of enhanced connectivity and communication, environmental sustainability, and government policy changes into a complex, multidimensional conversation. The Handbook of Research of Entrepreneurship in the Contemporary Knowledge-Based Global Economy provides a comprehensive survey of the most recent developments in the field of entrepreneurship, highlighting their effects on information technology, business networking, knowledge production, distribution, and organization. This timely publication features extensive coverage of the fast-developing entrepreneurial field, illuminating recent technological, social, and strategic innovations in language that is accessible for a worldwide audience of business educators, researchers, and students. This authoritative text showcases research-based articles on entrepreneurship for knowledge economies; academic entrepreneurship; women and entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship education; organizational learning ability; innovations in industry, agriculture, and management; and the evolution of a new, all-inclusive corporate culture.
Academic thought-leaders in the field of technology transfer analyze critically the factors behind success-oriented entrepreneurial start-up cultures on university campuses.
This book sets out political economy explanations for higher education policy reform in Europe in the initial decades of the 21st century. With a sustained focus on the national level of policy implementation, institutional change is considered in relationship to broader trends in economic development and globalization. Since the concept of a “Europe of Knowledge” was presented by the European Commission in 1997, the pursuit of global competitiveness sets the context for the international initiative of the Bologna Process that has created the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Growing from 29 to 48 participating countries, there are three core explanations for change in the policy process: globalization (economic), intergovernmentalism (political), and Europeanization (social). As part of multi-method research analysis, this book presents qualitative case studies on Portugal and Spain to consider points of comparison, including national governance history and modernization of higher education institutions. The structure of government in these countries affects the policy reforms. Ultimately, the Bologna Process serves as a model for integration of higher education reform in other world regions. This book is essential reading for students, researchers, and policy makers in the fields of education, economics, and public policy.
The Glion VI Colloquium departed from its customary transatlantic dialogue by broadening participation, including university leaders from around the world representing 18 nations and five continents, to consider the globalization of higher education. The emergence of a global, knowledge-driven economy is driven by a radically new system for creating wealth that depends upon the creation and application of new knowledge and hence upon advanced education, research, innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Both mature and developing nations are making major investments in building the knowledge infrastructure â schools, universities, research institutes, high-tech industry, cyberinfrastructure, public policies and programs â necessary to achieve prosperity and security in the knowledge economy. In parallel with these trends, there is a strong sense that higher education is also in the early stages of globalization, both through the increasing mobility of students and faculty, and the rapid growth in international partnerships among universities. Some even conjecture that we will soon see the emergence of truly global universities, which not only intend to compete in the global marketplace for students, faculty and resources, but also are increasingly willing to define their public purpose in terms of glob-al needs such as public health, political, economic and environmental sustain-ability, and international development. The first part of this volume provides a context for the subsequent discussion of the impact of globalization on the university from the perspective of a university leader, a foundation president and an industry executive. Part II considers the global strategies of established universities from several nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Japan and Russia. A quite different perspective is provided by the participants in the third part, which focuses on strategies for emerging universities and university systems in China, Singapore, Korea and Brazil. Part IV turns to a broader discussion of global competition and cooperation within the context of changing paradigms in higher education, with participants from an unusually broad range of institutions including business schools, industry, scientific academies, open universities and technology institutes. The final part examines the broader global responsibilities of higher education from the perspective of Europe, the Middle East and the United States. [Publisher, ed].
Leslie examine every aspect of academic work unexplored: undergraduate and graduate education, teaching and research, student aid policies, and federal research policies.
