The entrepreneurial mindset in entrepreneurship education: what can we learn from S-O-R models?
ISSN: 0040-0912
Article publication date: 19 September 2023
Issue publication date: 20 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to examine the usefulness of the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model for systematizing and further exploring the knowledge of the role of entrepreneurship education (EE) in fostering students' entrepreneurial mindset (EM). Current research studying the EM in an educational setting often fails to conceptualize this mindset and its attributes rigorously and to include epistemological considerations regarding how the authors can know whether a person has developed an EM or not.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors test the S-O-R model by combining it with a critical realist approach to develop a conceptual model for understanding the EM and its development in an educational setting.
Findings
The authors identify eight psychological constructs that represent markers of the EM. The authors further surface the multi-causal characteristic of learning in EE. The authors' model cannot be applied to detect causal relationships, but it is useful in exploring potential causal tendencies and plausible explanations of the mechanisms and circumstances of EE, which may, in concert, potentially foster the psychological attributes associated with an EM.
Originality/value
The paper addresses the often-overlooked epistemological considerations related to how the authors can know anything about psychological and theoretical constructs, such as the EM. A conscious discussion about how the authors can develop knowledge and insight about the EM and how individuals develop it is critical to justify a continued focus on the EM in EE.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Since acceptance of this article, the following author have updated their affiliation: Inge Birkbak Larsen is at Advantere School of Management.
Citation
Larsen, I.B., Blenker, P. and Neergaard, H. (2023), "The entrepreneurial mindset in entrepreneurship education: what can we learn from S-O-R models?", Education + Training, Vol. 65 No. 8/9, pp. 1043-1069. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-09-2022-0364
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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