Mentoring for Entrepreneurs as an Education Intervention

Mentoring as professional development for novice entrepreneurs: maximizing the learning1

“…It is difficult to say if our findings can be generalized to mentoring programs other than those found within Canada, because in some way or another, cultural factors may influence the results. However, because mentoring is recognized as a learning tool for entrepreneurs in different schemes studied around the world, mostly in industrialized countries (such as Coetzer et al ., 2011; Cull, 2006; Deakins et al ., 1998; Miettinen, 2003; Waters et al ., 2002), in similar situations and context, we believe that the model tested will apply to mentoring programs elsewhere in the world.…”

“…Studies have also determined that mentoring novice entrepreneurs helps them develop cognitive and affective learning, including the ability to identify opportunities and develop a coherent vision of their business project (St‐Jean & Audet, 2012). From the perspective of the entrepreneur's professional development, mentoring may be an adapted solution to enhance their competences and increase their business's success (Bisk, 2002; Deakins et al ., 1998; Miettinen, 2003; Wikholm et al ., 2005). However, studies on mentoring for novice entrepreneurs do not usually enter into the relationship's ‘black box’, often being content with identifying the various outcomes for the entrepreneur.…”

Nurturing Entrepreneurial Learning Through Mentoring

“…According to Politis (2005), "entrepreneurial learning is often described as a continuous process that facilitates the development of necessary knowledge for being effective in starting up and managing new ventures." Several studies dedicated to entrepreneurial learning show that entrepreneurs are action oriented and that they cumulate knowledge from their own experiences (Cope, 2005;Gibb, 1997;Rae and Carswell, 2000) and from those of others (MacPherson, 2009;Miettinen, 2003). Cope (2005) also suggests that it is through the reflexivity process that experience is transformed into learning.…”

Development of “entrepreneur role-playing game” educational program and evaluation of its implementation effect from the viewpoint of cognitive apprenticeship theory

“…"Apprenticeship" cognitive instruction is based on the spirit and approach of traditional apprenticeship, and teaches the skill and strategy of cognition. It not only instructs skills and crafts, by instructional design, but also becomes practiceoriented instructional strategies and turn into a teaching model of cognitive apprenticeship (Perren, 2003;Miettinen, 2006;Sullivan, 2000;Wanberg et al, 2003).…”

“…Regarding the cognitive apprenticeship model, Miettinen (2006) and Perren (2003) suggested that the mentor teaching system not only adopted the concept of "cognitive apprenticeship", but integrated other multi-facet theories. It stressed autonomy, diversity, and flexibility.…”