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Background: Entrepreneurship has traditionally been taught from a business administration perspective, where predicting the future is central and where the world is seen as linear with known inputs and outputs. The world of entrepreneurs is a quite different, usually highly uncertain environment, and therefore requires a different type of skill set. In this paper, we conceptualize entrepreneurial learning through a method-and design-based approach and illustrate how a course can be developed and designed. Findings: In this paper it is argued that by utilizing design thinking and a methods approach, learning from a "through" approach can be achieved. This learning is more focused on the entrepreneurial process, highlighting the role of skills and mindset. This learning approach enables student-centered learning and focus on skills more applicable to entrepreneurs. It is also argued that the entrepreneurship process is not linear; therefore, creativity is central and finding structure is an unstructured process. Design thinking emphasizes a practical approach where students step outside the classroom. This experimentation and interaction in the real world of users and customers with real feedback is important in combination with reflection exercises. Conclusions: This paper highlights how a methods approach and entrepreneurship education with a "through" perspective can be achieved by utilizing design thinking. This is elaborated conceptually and illustrated with an example. We argue that a methods approach for teaching entrepreneurship is beneficial, where design thinking can be one valuable tool and approach for teaching entrepreneurship.

A regional smart specialization initiative is investigated from a quadruple helix framework (industry, government, academia, and users/civil society). Based on a qualitative case study, we examine the interdependencies of actors, resources, and activities from a micro perspective. The aim is to understand the relationships and the value created between the different actors. From the results we conclude that the fourth helix should be viewed as a wholean arena where triple helix actors in different value adding relationships take on different roleswhere they create value to civil society, for example, new jobs or products for improved elderly care. In line with this, we state that the fourth helix is far more complex than limiting it to simply become a fourth separate helix of users or civil society. There is a complexity in that the fourth helix consists of both different users (including triple helix actors) as well as civil society. Users in the quadruple helix framework can also be defined in several ways depending on the context of the arena (the fourth helix) and what value adding activities they bring to civil society. Thus, users can be businesses, organizations, citizens, society, and many more things. ABSTRAIT Une initiative de sp ecialisation intelligente r egionale est examin ee a travers un mod ele a quadruple h elice (industrie, gouvernement, milieu universitaire et utilisateurs/soci et e civile). En nous basant sur une etude qualitative de cas, nous explorons les interd ependances des acteurs, des ressources et des activit es dans une micro-perspective. Notre objectif est de comprendre les relations et la valeur cr e ee entre les diff erents acteurs. Nos r esultats nous am enent a conclure que la quatri eme h elice doitêtre prise en compte dans son ensembleune ar ene dans laquelle des acteurs a triple h elice engag es dans des relations a valeur ajout ee jouent des rôles diff erentsy cr eant de la valeur pour la soci et e civile, par exemple de nouveaux emplois ou de nouveaux produits pour une am elioration des soins aux personnesâg ees. Conform ement a cette approche, nous affirmons que la quatri eme h elice est bien plus complexe que si elle se limitait a devenir simplement une quatri eme h elice distincte compos ee d'usagers et de membres de ARTICLE HISTORY

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) research has investigated EO from a unidimensional perspective. By taking the more novel approach of the multidimensional view and focusing on the sub-dimensions, a fine-grained view is achieved. Previous research has often mixed process and outcomes in the conceptualizations of the sub-dimensions of EO. This study argues for making a distinction between process and outcome, which can realize a more nuanced understanding of EO. A qualitative approach is used to achieve a richer understanding of EO. The findings highlight that EO and its subdimensions of innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness can be meaningfully divided between the attributes of process and outcome. The sub-dimensions and the attributes of process and outcome are also argued to vary independently of each other.

This article explores Robotdalen, a smart specialization initiative in the region of Mälardalen, Sweden, and its impact on regional innovation systems (RIS). The Robotdalen initiative, with the goal to create a regional center for robotics, was established based on the triple helix innovation systems model of industry, university, and government interaction. This paper aims to understand the dynamic interactions of the smart specialization strategy in relation to the RIS. It also includes the perspective of the fourth helix, which contains civil society and users. To date, there has been a scarcity of research which explores the challenges of quadruple helix models from a micro perspective to understand their complexity. To address this, a single case study approach is taken, which includes a longitudinal perspective of 10 years (2007–2016). The analysis includes micro activities explored from a strategizing perspective. The research contributes by identifying three strategic practices that have evolved over time for Robotdalen. It also presents an empirical operationalization of the fourth helix, as well discusses the arrival of the fourth helix perspective.