Rethinking and reconceptualising entrepreneurship education a legacy from Alistair Anderson

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper aims to extend the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship education by integrating several of the most relevant lessons from Anderson’s contribution into current conceptualizations. We identify three main dimensions of Anderson’s work useful for our purpose: conceptualization of entrepreneurship; network and social capital as mechanisms to explain entrepreneurship as a socially embedded phenomenon; and epistemological and methodological reflection. These dimensions enrich the debate on the strategic dimensions targeting, connecting and reflecting suggested to advance the field of entrepreneurship education. We highlight important implications that help us reflect on the value of entrepreneurship education by emphasizing the role of the social dimension in teaching entrepreneurship, the importance of understanding entrepreneurship as a complex phenomenon to identify goals and more specifically tailor pedagogy, and the need to question methods of inquiry as the field evolves and expands its area of investigation.