The Framework of Static and Dynamic Components: An Examination of Entrepreneurial Orientation and University Ability to Teach Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is a vital part of the economic progress of today’s society. Recognising the significance of entrepreneurial activity, universities are exploring different ways of teaching entrepreneurship. Some researchers, however, have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of present entrepreneurship education efforts (Feldman, 2001; Harris, Forbes and Fletcher, 2000; Vesper and Gartner, 1997). This paper posits that entrepreneurship education is composed of static as well as dynamic components, both of which are influenced by the culture of the university. It is further advanced that the university institutional culture also contains dynamic and static elements. Entrepreneurial orientation with its dimensions of innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking is anticipated to have a positive effect on the organisational culture at the university. A conceptual framework is presented, which provides for a greater understanding of entrepreneurial education by examining the relationships between static and dynamic components of university culture, entrepreneurial teaching effort and the degree of university’s entrepreneurial orientation.