New Business Education Model for Entrepreneurial HEIs: University of Tirana Social Innovation and Internationalization

Among scholars, there is an interest in understanding how entrepreneurial behavior is influenced by the consequences of crises. The COVID-19 pandemic may negatively or positively affect individuals’ behavior, including entrepreneurial intention. Thus, this paper seeks to study whether or not the economic shock caused by the pandemic reinforces the intention to start a business. The research was administered at the individual level by distributing a structured survey. The hypotheses were developed based on a unique conceptual framework integrating the planned behavior theory and a stimulus–organism–response perspective. The relationships were tested using the structural equation modeling method with an original dataset of more than 800 respondents from three post-communist transition countries. The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic, seen as an opportunity, positively influences both the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and individuals’ intention to start a business. The message that these findings convey is that, even in crises, there are opportunities from which one can benefit, including the individual’s propensity to engage in startup activities. By examining the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on entrepreneurial behavior, educational institutions and policymakers can design effective policies to foster entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment, particularly among the youth.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Entrepreneurial Intention through a Stimulus–Organism–Response Perspective

Çera

Ndoka

Dika

et al. 2022

“…In this study, the research instruments used were interviews and a questionnaire (Kripa et al 2021). By using interviews, it was possible to gather data on opinions regarding entrepreneurial education, its opportunities and barriers, together with the linked approach of sustainability, by keeping in consideration the stakeholders' role in education and their perception of the added value that their universities could create.…”

Section: Research Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Entrepreneurial Education and Sustainability: Opportunities and Challenges for Universities in Albania

Nano,

Mulaj,

Kripa

et al. 2024

Self Cite

As new trends are emerging worldwide, including innovation breakthroughs and the need for a sustainable approach to different aspects of economy and entrepreneurship, the need for orienting society towards sustainable entrepreneurial behavior is emerging. In this context, according to the literature, entrepreneurial education can have a positive impact on fostering entrepreneurial intention in university students. The main research conducted in this study includes the identification of different opportunities and barriers that universities in Albania are facing, by conducting interviews and questionnaires with key stakeholders. The main barriers identified include the legislation gap and lack of governmental funding for entrepreneurial and sustainable courses, while the main opportunities from which universities can benefit include digital innovation and human resources skills management by providing an added value to their internal environment. The model proposed in this study to overcome barriers and benefit from opportunities includes two key stakeholders, government and universities, as the case study analysis of three universities in Albania predicts the need for more steps to be taken by these two key stakeholders included in the model, while future further research on governmental funding would be of high importance to the cost–benefit analysis of this kind of governmental support.

“…), a case study involves a program, organization, or individual. Similar approaches in reporting case study research includeKripa et al 2021);He and Luo (2020); andLombardi and Costantino (2020). In addition, a case study involves several parameters surrounding the case.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Social Innovation Model for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of a Malaysian Entrepreneur Cooperative (KOKULAC)

Kassim

Zamzuri

Jalil

et al. 2022

In Malaysia, social innovation programs are fully supported by the government. However, reports and findings on the related matter have yet to be comprehensively collected due to the current interest. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to provide a better insight and understanding on how social innovation projects could assist in achieving the SDG agenda. Since social innovation is emerging and has just recently been embraced in Malaysia, we present the study as a case based on an entrepreneur cooperative, named KOKULAC, with a grounded theory analysis as a core approach. The findings suggest that there are five sustainability development goals that are very closely related to KOKULAC’s agenda. These goals are no poverty, zero hunger, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and partnership for the goals. In addition, the case also presented how the values of sustainable development spur greater social benefits of shared prosperity. We conclude that the proposed model contributes to the expansion of innovation capability theory by shaping the innovations within the scope of social needs, which could be applied in other settings. For future research, we recommend a higher integration between the social innovation model and dynamic capabilities of the networking structures.