Best practice learning in cooperative entrepreneurship to engage business students in the SDGs

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the challenge of introducing cooperative entrepreneurship as an option for university business students, as recommended by the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP) adopted in the European Union (EU). This aim is linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which calls for efforts to ensure quality education for all. Our study jointly addresses both entrepreneurship and the need for high-quality education among the university students we are analysing. The use of success stories in cooperative entrepreneurship is based on a Best Practice Learning (BPL) methodology. The students under analysis are categorized into two areas of knowledge, law and economics, depending on whether the main content of their studies focuses on aspects of law or on purely economic aspects. The results show an increased interest in cooperative entrepreneurship in all participants after the application of BPL, and a high level of satisfaction with the activities carried out as part of this experience. However, differences were found between economics and law students, with the former having more knowledge about the concept of entrepreneurship. On the other hand, the latter group shows a greater awareness of the importance of cooperativism. The results of this study can provide the basis for new initiatives at the university level, aimed at the promotion of cooperative entrepreneurship in line with its key role in the SEAP and the SDGs.