Search Results (362)

People with disabilities face multiple challenges in the labor sphere, including barriers to access, discrimination, lower job stability, and limited opportunities for development, all of which restrict their economic and social participation. In response to this reality, public policies aimed at labor inclusion have gained increasing relevance due to their potential to reduce inequalities and strengthen social sustainability. The aim of this study was to analyze public policies designed for the labor inclusion of people with disabilities by identifying their main characteristics, target populations, implementation barriers, and their relationship with social sustainability. The PRISMA methodology was applied, and, as a result of the search, selection, and evaluation process, 75 primary studies were included in the analysis. The results show that policies are mainly concentrated on measures to facilitate access to employment, incentives for employers, and vocational training, while entrepreneurship receives less attention. Most policies are directed toward people with disabilities in general, with limited attention to specific subgroups. Persistent barriers were identified, including prejudice, weak institutional coordination, and a gap between regulatory frameworks and their effective implementation. It is concluded that, although these policies show progress in terms of inclusion, their contribution to social sustainability depends on more effective, better coordinated, and more responsive implementation that takes into account the diversity of needs within this population. Full article

Sustainable entrepreneurship depends on a firm’s ability to turn opportunities into durable systems of value creation, value proposition, and value capture. Prior studies link business model innovation (BMI) to firm performance, but the evidence is largely correlational and treats BMI as a single aggregate construct, leaving it unclear which component most directly converts business model change into sustainable innovation outcomes. Using firm-level data on 2798 Korean firms from the 2022 Entrepreneurship Survey, this study adopts a progressive empirical design that moves from ordinary least squares (OLS) to Double/Debiased Machine Learning (DML), and from aggregate BMI to a multi-treatment specification of its three components. The findings indicate that aggregate BMI shows a positive baseline association with innovation performance. When the three components are modeled jointly, value proposition emerges as the most consistently and strongly associated component of sales-based innovation performance, whereas value creation and value capture display weaker and more conditional patterns. The value proposition association is stronger in B2C firms. This study advances sustainable entrepreneurship research by identifying customer-facing value articulation as the BMI component most consistently associated with sustained innovation performance under observable-confounder adjustment. Full article

There is renewed interest in local sourcing, regional supply chains, and the rebuilding of fiber-to-fashion systems. However, limited attention has been paid to the upstream role of fiber farmers and the infrastructure that enables or constrains regional textile economies. This study investigates the opportunities and challenges of fiber farming in West Virginia and explores the motivations that drive participation in this sector. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 fiber farmers across West Virginia. The findings revealed five interconnected themes: heterogeneous actants, the translation of wool, regional network breakdown, festivals and social media as network hubs, and institutional gaps and network fragility. The results indicate that fiber farming persists through strong community networks, adaptive entrepreneurial strategies, and deep attachments to place. However, its economic viability is constrained by declining processing infrastructure, labor shortages, weakened institutional support, and fragmented supply chains. These challenges also have important sustainability implications. Most notably, wool is often discarded because processing and transportation costs exceed its market value, resulting in the waste of a renewable and biodegradable fiber that could otherwise remain in productive use. This study contributes to the literature on local sourcing, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainable and circular economies by highlighting the relational infrastructures required to rebuild regionally embedded textile systems in Appalachia and beyond. Full article

With an exploratory survey administered to 101 alumni who voluntarily and anonymously participated, since its inception in 1999, in the social service program at the Yunus Center, at the Mexican public Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), five core dimensions of entrepreneurship were assessed: learning, entrepreneurial intention, skill development, inspiration and confidence, and opportunity recognition. The findings indicate that engagement with social microentrepreneurs (marginalized and impoverished) during social service served as a facility for developing entrepreneurial skills and intentions. Over 87% reported increased inspiration, motivation, and confidence, and more than 88% identified entrepreneurial opportunities through their participation. That suggests that interaction with necessity-driven microentrepreneurs as role models can create an innovative, inclusive learning environment among university students, and a possible low-cost method approach for fostering social and economic entrepreneurship, according to the UN’s sustainable development goals SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Full article

Entrepreneurship education in film and the creative industries refers to a set of pedagogical approaches, curricula, and institutional frameworks designed to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies, and practices among students and professionals operating within the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). Going well beyond conventional business training, entrepreneurship education in this context encourages learners to identify opportunities for value creation—cultural, social, and economic—to develop sustainable modes of creative practice, and to engage critically with the markets, institutions, and communities that constitute the contemporary creative economy. Within film studies and adjacent disciplines such as media production, design, music, and the visual arts, entrepreneurship education plays an increasingly prominent role in preparing graduates for careers characterised by self-employment, project-based work, portfolio careers, and the continuous negotiation of artistic autonomy with the imperatives of professional sustainability. This entry aims to compile and organise existing knowledge on entrepreneurship education as it applies to the CCIs, with particular attention to the film and audiovisual sector, drawing on academic literature, European policy frameworks, and empirical industry evidence. The entry uses a narrative literature review approach, synthesising scholarly works from the fields of education, cultural economics, and creative industry research alongside institutional documentation and policy instruments, in order to provide a systematic and accessible account of the current state of knowledge in this area. Full article

Studentpreneurship has gained prominence in South Africa as universities are increasingly expected to foster innovation, job creation, and youth participation in the economy. However, despite the establishment of incubators, entrepreneurship centres, mentorship programmes, and EDHE-aligned initiatives, support for studentpreneurs remains unevenly implemented, poorly integrated, and inconsistently accessible, particularly within a historically disadvantaged university. This study examines how university support mechanisms shape the experiences, challenges, and business development trajectories of studentpreneurs in a South African university. Guided by Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Theory, the study adopts a qualitative research design involving in-depth interviews with 15 studentpreneurs. Thematic analysis reveals significant gaps in awareness, accessibility, and continuity of institutional support. While students valued motivational workshops, pitching opportunities, and limited mentorship, these interventions lacked sustained follow-up, sector-specific guidance, and financial or infrastructural resources necessary for business growth. The study contributes to South African entrepreneurship scholarship by highlighting the lived realities of studentpreneurs at a historically disadvantaged university and by proposing institutional reforms to build more coherent, equitable, and sustainable studentpreneurship ecosystems. Full article

In the context of revitalizing rural development, farmer entrepreneurship has emerged as a significant driver of rural economic growth. However, existing research has not sufficiently examined the specific mechanisms or heterogeneous effects through which digital skills influence farm household entrepreneurial behavior. This gap is the focus of the present study. Utilizing micro-level survey data collected from 936 farm households across Shandong, Shaanxi, and Henan provinces in 2021, we construct a digital skills index using factor analysis. We then employ a Probit model and an Interaction term model to examine the impact of digital skills on entrepreneurial behavior among Chinese rural households and its underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we explore heterogeneity across different household types. The results show that digital skills are positively associated with entrepreneurial decision-making. Further analysis provides suggestive evidence that this relationship may operate through three channels: shaping risk preferences, expanding relational networks, and improving access to credit. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the promoting effect of digital skills is stronger among disadvantaged households, households with a head younger than 45, and those engaged in opportunity-driven or online entrepreneurship. Theoretically, this study contributes by empirically validating a multi-pathway mechanism framework and identifying relevant boundary conditions. Practically, it offers targeted insights for policymakers to design skill-based interventions and foster inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural areas. Full article

This study examines the interplay among ICT skills, perceptions of employability, and entrepreneurial intention among university students, focusing on how generic and scarce ICT competencies influence their confidence in employment opportunities and their inclination toward entrepreneurial intentions. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the study explores how digital competencies shape entrepreneurial attitudes, perceived feasibility, and behavioural readiness. A quantitative research approach was adopted, and data were collected using a convenience sampling method from 117 university students enrolled in ICT-related programmes. A reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and chi-square tests were used to examine the relationships among ICT skills, employability perceptions, and entrepreneurial constructs. Findings reveal that students possess strong generic ICT skills and high self-efficacy, suggesting confidence in their general capabilities and labour market readiness. However, scarce ICT skills were found to be unevenly distributed across departments and campuses, indicating disparities in access to advanced technical training. Regression results show that both generic ICT skills (β = 0.27, p < 0.01) and scarce ICT skills (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) significantly predict employability (R² = 0.29), while generic (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and scarce ICT skills (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) significantly influence perceived feasibility (R² = 0.41). Furthermore, employability (β = 0.31, p < 0.01) and perceived feasibility (β = 0.25, p < 0.05) significantly predict entrepreneurial intention (R² = 0.27). The results also show strong entrepreneurial desirability among students, yet perceived feasibility remains comparatively low, highlighting a gap between entrepreneurial aspiration and perceived capability. Importantly, advanced ICT competencies strengthen students’ confidence in their ability to pursue entrepreneurial activities. The study concludes that strengthening scarce ICT competencies, experiential entrepreneurship education, and industry collaboration within higher education institutions is essential for enhancing graduate employability and entrepreneurial potential in South Africa. Full article

In South Africa, both economic and social entrepreneurship have become a game-changing strategy for tackling enduring socioeconomic issues, including inequality, unemployment, and poverty. In contrast to conventional business models that put profit maximisation first, social entrepreneurship combines entrepreneurial tactics with social goals to develop long-lasting solutions for underserved populations. This study examines how social entrepreneurship can be used to address socioeconomic problems in South Africa, highlighting how it can promote inclusive growth and help achieve both national and international development objectives. The study illustrates how social companies use innovation and community participation models to overcome structural impediments such as youth unemployment, healthcare disparities, and limited access to education. It is based on a thorough evaluation of academic literature. The results show that social entrepreneurship fosters social cohesiveness and resilience in marginalised areas in addition to creating job and income opportunities. However, issues including weak finance, insufficient policy frameworks, and a dearth of capacity-building programmes make it difficult for social enterprises to grow and survive. In order to strengthen the social enterprise sector, the study’s conclusion suggests creating supportive ecosystems through impact investments, policy reforms, and educational initiatives. South Africa can expedite its efforts to reduce inequality and achieve sustained socioeconomic transformation by presenting social entrepreneurship as a strategic development tool. Full article

The objective of this study is to develop and incorporate a multidisciplinary engineering design experience into an academic success and professional development course that aims to retain non-calculus-ready first-year engineering students. The project followed the five-step engineering design process using knowledge from multiple engineering disciplines. Students were tasked to design a scale model of a safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient oil derrick with PASCO kits, engage in discussion to consider societal, global, cultural, and further factors in design, practice an elevator pitch with entrepreneurship specialists from the university start-up incubator, and present the final design to a multidisciplinary judge panel from academia and industry in engineering, math, social science, and business at a Poster Expo. This project-based learning aligned with the student outcomes of ABET and the Engineering for One Planet framework for sustainability education in engineering. Opportunities and challenges of this multidisciplinary learning experience were analyzed using triangulated data sources from student course performance, a student perception survey (N = 16; Cronbach’s α = 0.959), and student retention data. Results showed a positive student learning experience with 88% of students reporting that the multidisciplinary design experience was positive to their learning and increased their interest in engineering. Ninety-four percent of student retention in engineering was reported by the end of the semester (N = 17). Full article

Entrepreneurship is widely promoted as a pathway to refugee self-reliance, yet the conditions under which entrepreneurial livelihoods unfold, and the forms of labor they generate, remain underexamined. This study investigates how displacement and patriarchal household relations shape refugee women’s entrepreneurship, asking when survival-oriented enterprise produces labor vulnerability rather than alleviating it. Drawing on in-depth qualitative research with Syrian refugee women entrepreneurs in Lebanon, the study reveals that entrepreneurship emerges primarily as a survival response to exclusion and precarity rather than an opportunity-driven choice. As a result, entrepreneurial activity becomes embedded within informal, relationally governed arrangements that intensify dependency and constrain exit, while women’s labor is regulated through overlapping household expectations, kinship obligations, and gendered moral economies that reproduce unprotected, difficult-to-exit work. The study shows that entrepreneurship and labor vulnerability may be co-constituted, repositions households as institutions of labor governance, and bridges entrepreneurship and forced labor scholarship by demonstrating how constrained labor emerges within self-employment through relational governance and survival imperatives. These findings challenge policy approaches that treat entrepreneurship as a stand-alone solution to refugee labor exclusion, revealing how market-based inclusion may normalize precarity instead. Full article

This study investigates how entrepreneurial competencies contribute to social value creation and sustainable economic development among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, an emerging economy, emphasizing the facilitating roles of comprehensive social competence and technological opportunism. Grounded in Competence-Based Theory (CBT), entrepreneurial competencies are conceptualized as higher-order strategic capabilities that enable firms to mobilize resources, coordinate relational processes, and generate both economic and societal value in line with sustainable development principles. Drawing on a two-wave survey of 607 senior managers across ten industrial sectors in Turkey and employing confirmatory factor analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS macro, this research tests an integrated sustainability-oriented capability model. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial competencies significantly enhance sustainable social value creation, while comprehensive social competence serves as a key mechanism that partially mediates this relationship. Although technological opportunism does not directly influence the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and social competence, it significantly amplifies both the direct and indirect effects on social value creation. SMEs with higher levels of technological alertness are therefore better positioned to translate entrepreneurial competencies into sustainable, socially beneficial outcomes. By integrating CBT with emerging perspectives on sustainable entrepreneurship, social innovation, and technology-enabled opportunity recognition, this study advances theoretical understanding of how SME capability configurations jointly foster sustainable economic and societal development. From a practical perspective, the findings highlight the importance of cultivating socially and technologically oriented entrepreneurial competencies to strengthen SMEs’ contributions to inclusive and sustainable growth in emerging economies. Full article

Africa’s expanding youth population and rapid digitalization present opportunities for innovation and, ultimately, entrepreneurship and economic growth relevant for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth. However, the role of social media in shaping these outcomes remains underexplored empirically. This study examines how platform-specific social media use influences innovation, operationalized through external search breadth and depth, while considering macroeconomic moderators. Using panel data from 52 African countries from 2009 to 2022 and fixed effects regressions, the study links activities on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, and Google to innovation indicators such as R&D expenditure, patent applications, and scientific publications. The findings suggest that YouTube use is consistently and positively associated with all innovation indicators, highlighting its role in knowledge diffusion and creative expression. By contrast, X and LinkedIn display neutral or negative effects. High internet penetration alone is not sufficient enough to spur innovation, underscoring the need for enabling macroeconomics factors such as GDP per capita and ease of doing business. This study concludes that visual open-access platforms, supported by education and institutional capacity, are vital for inclusive and sustained economic growth. Full article

This research aims to record hotel owners’ perceptions as subjective measures of the degree of integration of local traditional cheese varieties in the hospitality sector. Within the context of cheese tourism, this specific type of alternative tourism is operationalized through B2B co-creation among tourism businesses and cheese factories, serving as a framework for perceived business development. Specifically, this study fills a gap in the literature by exploring the managerial views on the current state of cheese tourism in relation to the entrepreneurship strengthening, the opportunities, and challenges that could favor cooperation between the two sectors. Descriptive and inductive statistics were conducted, collecting primary data from hotels in the Peloponnese, Greece, which has a long tradition of cheese production. Regional tradition and star rating determine the integration of local cheese. While 4–5-star hotels leverage cheese heritage for differentiation and experiential services, lower-end hotels face cost and supply chain barriers, requiring supporting strategies and cross-sector partnerships. The study offers original knowledge for the development of specific strategic proposals for the use of cheese tourism through co-creation for business development of hotels. Future research is recommended to record the views of all stakeholders and correlate them with objective financial performance. Full article

The rapid development of generative AI technology has provided new pathways for iterative innovation in the business models of digital entrepreneurial enterprises. Based on the entrepreneurial system elements theory, this study constructs a theoretical model of generative AI-empowered iterative innovation in the business models of digital entrepreneurial enterprises and aims to explore the roles of core entrepreneurial system elements (entrepreneurial opportunities, entrepreneurial resources, entrepreneurial teams) and contingency elements (environmental uncertainty) therein. Through empirical analysis of 279 questionnaires, the results show the following: First, generative AI can effectively drive iterative innovation in the business models of digital entrepreneurial enterprises; second, entrepreneurial opportunity identification, entrepreneurial resource integration, and entrepreneurial team decision-making all play partial mediating roles in the process of generative AI-driven iterative innovation in the business models of digital entrepreneurial enterprises; third, environmental uncertainty positively moderates the process of generative AI-driven iterative innovation in the business models of digital entrepreneurial enterprises. The research findings contribute to enriching and expanding digital entrepreneurship theory and provide practical guidance for digital entrepreneurial enterprises to achieve iterative innovation in their business models. Full article