Enabling entrepreneurial behaviour in a land-based university

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework along with a set of hypotheses that reflects the dynamic relationships that operate within an entrepreneurial land-based university in order to then undertake empirical research. Design/methodology/approach This paper, through reflection on existing literature, critiques the interactions between student, academic, educational institution and industry in order to conceptualise the entrepreneurial modus operandi of a land-based university. Findings Specialist universities, such as those that serve the land-based sector, need to demonstrate multiple excellences not only in terms of the education they provide for students, but also in terms of consistently meeting or exceeding government, research community, employers and societies expectations. An institutional framework must be in place to facilitate and enhance the quadruple interface of academic, institutional, industry and student entrepreneurial behaviour. The social and economic factors that mediate the dynamics within this framework first underpin student development supporting them to reach their potential, second inform teaching excellence and research practice and finally, lead to outcomes that contribute to the global, national and regional economy. Originality/value This paper is of value for those working in the educational sector as the model outlined can be used to critically reflect on current principles and practice and derive options for action to embed entrepreneurship more deeply within the organisational culture of a university.

Ecopreneurial Education and Support: Developing the Innovators of Today and Tomorrow

“…There are a number of contemporary literatures of interest that are considered: agricultural entrepreneurship, agri technology, the entrepreneurial farmer, rural entrepreneurship more widely, and then the specific aspects of entrepreneurial legacy and entrepreneurial bridging. Whilst entrepreneurial legacy is considered in current literature in terms of development and nurturing generational entrepreneurial behavior with families [62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70], what has been identified in this paper is how a university with an agri-technology incubator can in itself develop an ecosystem of entrepreneurial legacy. This is especially so when there is an interaction between existing students and businesses that are at all different stages on the ideation to fully commercialized journey.…”

“…To date, there has been a dearth of research into entrepreneurship education within the agriculture and land-based university sector and, specifically, what exactly does entrepreneurship mean in its unique sectoral context [67,97,98]. Agricultural and land-based universities (and colleges) play a major part in educating farmers and the future employees of such businesses into farming ways and practices [97].…”

“…Entrepreneurial legacy relates to how entrepreneurial propensity and practice is developed, nurtured and generated within families and transmitted trans-generationally [62][63][64][65]. Thus, despite some learners not having a theoretical awareness of entrepreneurship per se, nor buying into entrepreneurial ideology, they have been raised in an entrepreneurial farming family and as a result have an entrepreneurial mindset and innate entrepreneurial skills that they are able to tap into during their studies by drawing upon different spheres of influence [66,67]. Consequentially, entrepreneurial legacy is a rhetorical reconstruction that manifests itself as a narrative relating to past entrepreneurial achievements and resilience in the form of story-telling [63].…”

“…Entrepreneurial bridging relates to the practices of pluriactivity and diversification as well as bricolage [73] and involves "taking between" discrete entrepreneurial spheres of opportunity [74]. Entrepreneurial bridging in the agricultural sector occurs by nurturing entrepreneurship in younger generations by multiple generations working side by side within a family business [67]. This makes the topic of bridging of importance as it offers another route into farming in that individual may make their first entrepreneurial endeavor in one business to then transition that capital into an existing rural family business.…”

Interaction of Employers and Universities in Training and Employment of Young Professionals

“…E.g. issues of interest are mentoring in the workplace as a part of passing various practices in an employers' organization [6], the efficiency of gaining the entrepreneurial skills the graduates will need to work successfully after the university [7], advantages and disadvantages in the forming of narrow and wide specialized skills of future university graduates and the need for employers to participate in this process [8]. It is noted that training in the workplace arranged by the employer plays a special role in the preparation of graduates.…”