Learning entrepreneurs as experts

Gielen, Patricia; Hoeve, Aimée; Nieuwenhuis, Loek

doi:10.1080/13892240385300171

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…In the case of farmers, they constantly have to cope with stakeholders from the community they are part of (such as distance to neighbour farms and distance to acid-sensitive areas). Therefore, social skills and knowing how to get access to sources of knowledge are becoming increasingly important for farmers (Gielen et al, 2003). Finally, while technically the innovation may have superior characteristics, for adopters the increase in the economic viability of the farm is the key issue (Linder, 1987;Reid et al, 1993;Rogers, 1983).…”

Section: Characteristics Of Innovation Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability-related innovation adoption: the case of the Dutch pig farmer

Kemp

Nijhoff-Savvaki

Ruitenburg

et al. 2014

Journal on Chain and Network Science

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This paper explores the process of adoption of innovations in pig husbandry systems in the Netherlands, related to sustainability challenges that the pig sector is facing. It investigates the factors that influence farmers' decisions to build a new stable, as well as the choice to build either a conventional or a more sustainable stable. It demonstrates the impact of the adopter characteristics (such as age and knowledge), operation characteristics (such as type, size and location of the farm) and institutional setting (such as influence of government and other stakeholders) on these decisions. Jointly these represent the factors that shape the farmer's perception of the adoption of a more sustainable pig husbandry system. In the current policy context there is much interest in knowing how farmers respond to sustainability-oriented policies. Seen in this light it is reassuring that the present study shows that next to profit orientation, a positive attitude (based on knowledge about the environmental impact of farming) towards the environment is needed for the decision to build a more sustainable stable.

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Section: Characteristics Of Innovation Adoptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability-related innovation adoption: the case of the Dutch pig farmer

Kemp

Nijhoff-Savvaki

Ruitenburg

et al. 2014

Journal on Chain and Network Science

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“…In a second research project, the professional learning and searching processes of agricultural entrepreneurs was studied (Gielen and Jager, 2001). The general idea was that permanent antennae focused on external developments are a prerequisite for the survival of an enterprise.…”

Section: Knowledge Sources and Learning Processes Of Entrepreneursmentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovation and learning in agriculture

Nieuwenhuis¹

2002

Journal of European Industrial Training

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Innovation is a complex process, based on interactive network learning and processes of trial and error on the shop floor. Small companies, such as in agriculture, are depending on external knowledge infrastructures for effective innovation. Within small companies, the entrepreneur has a pivotal role in the innovative process: the entrepreneur is the professional learner. Learning and innovation as major parts of entrepreneurship are central to this contribution. How do farmers learn and innovate within a market‐led, high‐tech agricultural sector and what should governmental policy look like to support and facilitate innovation, avoiding the pitfall of protectionism? Two case studies are presented: one on linear innovation policy and one on learning processes of farmers. Innovative learning is balancing between the chaos of uncertainty and the old grooves of experience. Knowing how to escape this paradox forms the core competence of innovative entrepreneurship.

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“…It can help to solve the paradox in which entrepreneurs find themselves in innovative practices. On the one hand they need to look outwards and participate in external networks to get innovative ideas, but on the other hand they need to focus inwards, to prevent competitors from copying innovations (Gielen, Hoeve & Nieuwenhuis 2003).…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Competence development of entrepreneurs in innovative horticulture

Mulder

Lans

Verstegen

et al. 2007

Journal of Workplace Learning

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We thank AHON (i.e. LTO Groeiservice) and the entrepreneurs who participated in this study for their assistance and their openness to share opinions, experiences and ideas about learning and entrepreneurship. Structured abstractPurpose. To study learning of entrepreneurs in authentic learning environments. The research questions are: 1. How do entrepreneurs assess their compentencies, and how do employees and external consultants assess the compentencies of these entrepreneurs? 2. What are the competence strengths and weaknesses of entrepreneurs? 3. What are the learning activities that entrepreneurs perform? Methodology/Approach. Ten small business owners participated in a self-assessment and an assessment by employees and external consultants. Follow-up interviews elicited work-related learning activities. The interviews were transcribed. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and correlation tests, and a qualitative analysis of interview transcriptions were performed. Findings. 1. Competencies are being rated differently. Competence assessment is a potentially powerful learning source. 2. The top competence strength is having a learning orientation. 3. Ninety-nine learning activities were found embedded in the innovative work processes of the entrepreneurs. The top three learning activities were reflection, observation and experimentation. Research limitations/implications. The study is based on only ten entrepreneurs. Research is planned with larger numbers of subjects. Practical implications. Competence assessment needs to be provided for entrepreneurs in the sector as a tool for deeper self-reflection, and further performance improvement. Originality/value of paper. Much research on skills development and workplace learning is about employees in large organisations. However, employers in small and medium-sized companies are also an interesting professional group to study, since they create working and -2 -learning places for employees. Not much is know about their competence development. This study addresses that target group.

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Learning entrepreneurs as experts

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

Sustainability-related innovation adoption: the case of the Dutch pig farmer

Sustainability-related innovation adoption: the case of the Dutch pig farmer

Innovation and learning in agriculture

Competence development of entrepreneurs in innovative horticulture

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