The importance of evaluating the outcomes of entrepreneurship education (EE) has been widely acknowledged, but how to approach the evaluation and what models and measures to use are still subjected to academic debate. In this article, the authors present an application of the European Competence Framework (ECF) – the knowledge–skills–attitude triad that stems from Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. A survey of self-assessed entrepreneurial competences acquired in entrepreneurship education courses was carried out in five Estonian higher education institutions (HEIs). An exploratory factor analysis based on the sample of 249 respondents confirmed the empirical viability of the ECF for evaluating the outcomes of EE, while also indicating a wide spectrum of these outcomes. Knowledge about entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial skills and a range of affective outcomes was perceived to be stronger by those students who had higher aspirations to become entrepreneurs before entering the HEIs.

Entrepreneurial opportunities and the entrepreneurial process have long been understood as the foundation and heart of entrepreneurship. In this article, using systems thinking and a systems approach, we reshape the dynamic stage model of the entrepreneurial process to create a novel method for the configuration and metrics of progression of the entrepreneurial journey. To this end, we justified venture maturity as the generalised dimension that characterises entrepreneurial journey in the temporal scale. Until the venture launch, perceived (by the entrepreneur) venture maturity describes the progression of the entrepreneurial journey. The artefacts generated within the stages of the entrepreneurial process serve as the markers of progression of the journey. We also suppose the combination of the discrete and continuous character of the entrepreneurial journey trajectory between the edges bordering the corridors of opportunity space. This article contributes to existing approaches that facilitate better understanding of the entrepreneurial journey and process concepts by examining the interconnections between entrepreneurial process, journey, venture maturity, time and space. ResumenLas oportunidades emprendedoras y el proceso emprendedor se han entendido durante mucho tiempo como la base y el corazón del emprendimiento. En este artículo, utilizando el pensamiento The entrepreneurial journey of venture creation: reshaping process and space SECCIÓN ESPECIAL -62-sistémico y un enfoque sistémico, reformamos el modelo dinámico de etapas del proceso emprendedor para crear un método novedoso para la configuración y las métricas de progresión del viaje emprendedor. Con este fin, hemos justificado que la madurez del proyecto se corresponde con la dimensión generalizada que caracteriza el viaje emprendedor en la escala temporal. Hasta el lanzamiento de la empresa, la madurez percibida (por el empresario) de la empresa es la que describe la progresión del viaje emprendedor. Los artefactos generados dentro de las etapas del proceso emprendedor sirven como marcadores de la progresión del viaje. También suponemos la combinación del carácter discreto y continuo de la trayectoria del viaje emprendedor entre los confines que delimitan los corredores del espacio de oportunidad. Este artículo contribuye a los enfoques existentes que facilitan una mejor comprensión del viaje emprendedor y los conceptos de proceso al examinar las interconexiones entre el proceso emprendedor, el viaje, la madurez de la empresa, el tiempo y el espacio.

In order to promote sustainable entrepreneurship, it is necessary to understand the sustainable entrepreneurial process. To address this gap in the literature, this study aims to investigate how entrepreneurs generate ideas, as well as recognize, develop, and exploit opportunities in the context of sustainable development. A case study was carried out with eleven organizations in six different countries, from different sectors, including not-for-profit and for-profit businesses. The findings address a series of mechanisms that occur prior to the process of generating an idea and are relevant to the positive impact of these businesses on society. Entrepreneurs' previous experiences and skills, as well as the knowledge of similar initiatives, strongly relate to motivation and idea generation. In the analyzed cases, prior experience seemed to be related to a sensitivity towards a social or environmental problem. Previous experience in entrepreneurship was not determinant. The quality of the initial idea was relevant, once little changes occurred throughout the entire process. In most situations both dimensions of sustainability were integrated at the same time and before venture launch. Despite this, the focus of the entrepreneurs was on only one dimension. The inclusion of positive impact measurement on society, as part of the sustainable entrepreneurial process model, is another relevant finding. First, it is necessary to differentiate the sustainable entrepreneur from the regular and the social entrepreneur. Secondly, in some situations, the dimensions of sustainability are not integrated at the same time and before venture launch, and therefore considering that the process is finished in the phase of venture launch can lead to misclassifications. The results also led to the recognition of triggers that can stimulate sustainable entrepreneurship, such as educational practices more aligned with sustainability problems faced by local communities, stronger dissemination of successful business cases related to sustainability in other countries and contexts, integration between universities and businesses, and the inclusion of practice-based learning in curricula. A contribution to the literature was achieved by providing a systemic perspective on sustainable entrepreneurial process. This study also contributes by presenting empirical evidence of the phenomenon of sustainable entrepreneurship. The holistic knowledge of this process provides new information that supports academics, policy makers, government, and individuals with a more appropriate understanding of the conditions that help to stimulate new business activities dealing with economic, social, and environmental problems faced in society, helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This paper aims to investigate how sustainable entrepreneurs innovate in business models to overcome their hybridity-related tensions to achieve environmental, social, and financial goals. A case study was conducted on 12 organizations in seven countries from October 2018 to June 2019 through observation visits, interviews, and secondary data collection. To analyze the data, a content analysis was applied with the help of NVivo Software. The analysis category is based on the definition of the pillars of business models: (1) Value proposition, (2) value creation/delivery, and (3) value capture. Concerning value proposition, organizations engage various stakeholders on developing emotions related to sustainable behaviors. They use the idea of community to promote it, fostering the sharing of intangible values. Associated with these actions, organizations offer more convenience accessing these products or services, home deliveries, facilitating access by geo-location, price reduction, and promoting consumers’ education. Regarding value creation/delivery, companies promote partnerships with other stakeholders as part of the main business strategy. They run the business while promoting a social movement. One is dependent on the other. In their engagement in sustainability discussion forums and practical activities, they put together consumers, suppliers, and also other agents outside their vertical supply chain. Operations of all companies are highly internet-based. Social media and transparency are also relevant to their operations. The main characteristic of value capture is that organizations integrate sustainability into their strategy in a way that, just by doing business, they fulfill their social, environmental, and economic missions. Therefore, through innovation in business models, these organizations overcome hybridity-related tensions and achieve financial stability while positively impacting society. The contribution to the literature was achieved by identifying business model innovations in sustainable entrepreneurship, analyzing their characteristics and mechanisms to overcome hybridity-related tensions, and providing empirical evidence about how business models can create and capture different and multiple forms of value.

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