Social Entrepreneurship and the Role of Universities - A rationale for guiding social entrepreneur coaching along the social business development process

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2009

Authors

Oliveira, Manuel Au-Yong (Author) FEUP; Gonçalves, Ramiro (Author) Other; Miguel Oliveira, José (Author) FEUP; Aroso, Manuel (Author) FEUP; Barbosa, Miguel (Author) FEUP; Santos, Romão (Author) FEUP; Ferreira, João José Pinto (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Employability and Entrepreneurship: Tuning Universities and Enterprises

Pages: 65-76

Employability and Entrepreneurship: Tuning Universities and Enterprises

Universidade Católica Portuguesa (campus da Foz, no Porto) , 1 a 2 de Julho de 2009

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Other social sciences

Other information

Resumo (PT): We believe that Master’s degrees in entrepreneurship in Portugal can result in the development of social entrepreneurs. We believe that “entrepreneurship starts with a good business idea” (Locke and Baum, 2007: 95) and it is here that universities can help the most – with the basics. As Romão Santos, a social entrepreneur who is currently on a personal change journey and who admittedly has “found his calling” by attending a Master’s Degree (MIETE), recently stated : “I was exposed to the methodologies and advice/ counseling provided by MIETE which have proven to be precious, allowing the progressive refining of the business concept, until it reached its present state… MIETE permitted me to overcome, especially through the endless support of its lecturers and collaborators, certain boundaries and comfort zones in the business creation process, multiplying my perseverance, determination and an honest, just and balanced feeling of self-criticism.” Equally important to having talents is knowing how and where to channel them. Further research is needed however to determine exactly how social entrepreneurs can be encouraged by capitalizing first on their natural talent to help others, then on their motivation (“without motivation nothing happens” (Locke and Baum, 2007: 93)), innate and developed on the academic or professional course which they are attending, and by providing the necessary infra-structure in which they may flourish. We believe that entrepreneurship leads not only to economic development as Cromie (2000) suggests but also to added social well-being in society, namely through the actions of social entrepreneurs. Thus we need to focus upon the inherent personal traits of those disposed to become entrepreneurs but in particular a focus upon social entrepreneurial acts is called for. Social entrepreneurship is seen to be of particular interest and the role of university leadership seen to be crucial.

Abstract (EN): Taking advantage of entrepreneurial talent seems to be of paramount importance for economic development and all over the world plans have been designed to achieve this endeavour. Research involving students at various levels of education and in various courses has been performed by academics worldwide. Empirical studies however have been mostly concentrated on undergraduate students’ intents. Postgraduate student analyses are rare but needed given the widespread fears of unemployment and increasing dissatisfaction with employment at this level. Social entrepreneurship in particular is an area of inquiry which is still in its infancy. Based upon Weerawardena and Mort’s (2006) multidimensional model of social entrepreneurship: SVC = f (I, P, RM) subject to S, SM, E Where SVC: social value creation; I: innovativeness; P: proactiveness; RM: risk management; S: Sustainability; SM – social mission; E: environment We provide a rationale for guiding social entrepreneur coaching along the social business development process at the postgraduate level.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific