The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Digital Entrepreneurship Education: Reflections on a Rapid Transformation of an Educational Ecosystem

Abstract

This chapter explores the implications of the COVID-19 crisis on entrepreneurship education at higher education institutions. Different challenges for university management, students and entrepreneurship instructors will be considered from a stakeholder-based, holistic perspective on transforming entrepreneurship towards digital education in the crisis. This view allows integrating a range of education management challenges that ultimately impact on the interaction between students and lecturers in digital entrepreneurship teaching. In addressing these challenges, the chapter also highlights possible approaches and remedies suggested in entrepreneurship literature and from university examples (e.g. structured professional development and institutionalization of student support in online entrepreneurship education; use of balanced synchronous/asynchronous as well as on-site/online components; adding crisis and resilience management to the entrepreneurship teaching agenda). Beyond the technological dimension of the digital transition of entrepreneurship education, the chapter also reflects on some managerial and psychological aspects and issues that came with the COVID-19 crisis for entrepreneurship students and start-up founders alike and derives ideas for future research.