Alternative ways of involving stakeholders: The rise of entrepreneurism in higher education and the case of a learning enterprise

Abstract

The education field has not traditionally stressed entrepreneurship; however, in light of current difficult economic scenarios and shrinking global job markets, a myriad of Educational Technology entrepreneurs is emerging across the world. Edupreneurs are here. They are self-motivated members of an enterprise who can recognize opportunities and take action on complex educational problems while aiming to create social value, financial value, and/or social benefits. Stakeholders hold a critical role when relating with edupreneurs. Stakeholders are the various individuals and groups who are directly invested in and may be affected (positively or negatively) by the entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the rise of entrepreneurism in higher education and explore the case of a learning enterprise that supports the preparation of educational technologists as up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The development of such a learning enterprise is connected to the concept of a civic-minded professional who is someone interested in using his or her knowledge and skills for the public good. The learning enterprise enhances its members’ civic-minded agency, meaning the group’s purposeful and reflective acts that aim to address community members’ educational needs. Stakeholders are deeply involved in addressing needs and issues in collaboration with educational technologists.