The rise of emerging technologies has increased the importance of proximity, emphasising its significance in optimising user experiences and enhancing efficiency across various domains, particularly in Higher Education (HE). Based on Boschma’s (2005) notion of ‘proximity’, this investigation explores how integrating several proximity dimensions into teaching practices can foster learning in entrepreneurship education. This transdisciplinary investigation is a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques. The research process is strengthened by a comprehensive strategy involving structured surveys, in-depth discussions, and cross-examination of data with experts, and it is supplemented by abductive reasoning from publications. By analysing the teaching of the Value Proposition (VP) to Master students, this paper fills a gap in the fields of HE and Management with regard to the learning of the VP, and its importance for innovative practices. Furthermore, this investigation proposes an updated and nuanced interpretation of Boschma’s (2005) five dimensions of proximity, specifically within the context of entrepreneurial learning in HE institutions. The research aims to bridge academic theory with practical applications, fostering collaboration and value creation within innovation ecosystems. Ultimately, understanding proximity can drive advancements in operational efficiency and innovative breakthroughs in educational settings.
AgasistiTBertolettiA (2022) Higher education and economic growth: a longitudinal study of European regions 2000–2017. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences81: 100940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2020.100940
AlpaydınUARFitjarRD (2021) Proximity across the distant worlds of university-industry collaborations. Regional Science100(3): 689–711. https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12586
AntonczakL (2020) Mobile technology: a new ba of work organisation?Innovations - Journal of Innovation Economics & Management31(1): 11–37. https://doi.org/10.3917/jie.pr1.0067
6.
AntonczakLNeukamMBollingerS (2022) From industry to academia: case studies of innovative learning practices in a digital context. In: MacCallumKParsonsD (eds) Industry Practices, Processes and Techniques Adopted in Education. Singapore: Springer.
7.
ArroyabeMFSchumannMArranzCFA (2022) Mapping the entrepreneurial university literature: a text mining approach. Studies in Higher Education47(5): 955–963. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2055318
8.
AskayDASpivackAJ (2010) The multidimensional role of trust in enabling creativity within virtual communities of practice: a theoretical model integrating swift, knowledge-based, institution-based, and organizational trust. In: 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Hawaii, pp. 1–10.
9.
BackstromLSunEMarlowC (2010, April). Find me if you can: improving geographical prediction with social and spatial proximity. In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on World Wide Web (pp. 61-70).
BallandPBoschmaRFrenkenK (2022) Proximity, innovation and networks. A concise review and some next steps. In: TorreAGallaudD (eds) Handbook of Proximity Relations. Edward Elgar, pp. 70–80.
12.
BarbiniFMCorsinoMGiuriP (2021) How do universities shape founding teams? Social proximity and informal mechanisms of knowledge transfer in student entrepreneurship. The Journal of Technology Transfer46(4): 1046–1082. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-020-09799-1
13.
BennSMartinA (2010) Learning and change for sustainability reconsidered: a role for boundary objects. The Academy of Management Learning and Education9(3): 397–412. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.9.3.zqr397
Bouba-OlgaOGrossettiM (2008) Socio-économie de proximité. Revue d'Économie Régionale et Urbaine3: 1–18.
16.
Buhl-WiggersJKjærgaardAMunkK (2022) A scoping review of experimental evidence on face-to-face components of blended learning in higher education. Studies in Higher Education48(1): 151–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2123911
17.
CarberryD (2024) Exploring the Future of Higher Education with Business Model Canvas and Futures Thinking. Available at SSRN 4986260.
18.
ChalcraftDLynchJ (2011) Value propositions in higher education: an SD logic view. In: 44th Academy of Marketing Conference. Academy of Marketing.
19.
ClarkeM (2018) Rethinking graduate employability: the role of capital, individual attributes and context. Studies in Higher Education43(11): 1923–1937. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2017.1294152
20.
CrescenziRNathanMRodríguez-PoseA (2016) Do inventors talk to strangers? On proximity and collaborative knowledge creation. Research Policy45(1): 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2015.07.003
21.
D’AuriaARusso SpenaTBifulcoF (2021) Proximity marketing and context-information awareness. In: Digital Transformation in the Cultural Heritage Sector: Challenges to Marketing in the New Digital Era, 161–180.
22.
EtzkowitzHLeydesdorffL (2000) The dynamics of innovation: from National Systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix of university–industry–government relations. Research Policy29(2): 109–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0048-7333(99)00055-4
23.
EvansMCloutierLM (2023) Integrating higher degree education with practice: exploring the value proposition of executive MBA apprenticeships. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning13(2): 283–298. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-10-2022-0207
24.
FayolleAet VerzatC (2022) Education entrepreneuriale: quels défis pour l’enseignement et la recherche à l’aune des crises et de la digitalisation?Revue de l'Entrepreneuriat21(Hors Série): 111–117.
25.
GioiaDACorleyKGHamiltonAL (2013) Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational Research Methods16(1): 15–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428112452151
26.
GómezPRousseauAVandangeon-DerumezI (2011) Distance et proximité: esquisse d'une problématique pour les organisations. Revue Française de Gestion213: 13–23.
HarveyF (2018) Considerations of graphical proximity and geographical nearness. In: 10th International Conference on Geographic Information Science (GIScience 2018). Schloss Dagstuhl–Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik, pp. 1–4.
30.
HéraudJAKerrFBurger-HelmchenT (2019) Creative Management of Complex Systems. John Wiley & Sons.
31.
Holdt ChristensenPPedersenT (2018) The dual influences of proximity on knowledge sharing. Journal of Knowledge Management22(8): 1782–1802. https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-03-2018-0211
32.
JongbloedBKottmannA (2022) Guidelines for Using HEInnovate and the Value Proposition Canvas in Entrepreneurial Change Processes in Higher Education Institutions. CHEPS, University of Twente, 1–15.
33.
JørgensenEJBOlafsenAHNilsenER (2022) Proximity dimensions and dynamics within an organisation: experiences from a change process. International Journal of Innovation Management26(02): 2250022. https://doi.org/10.1142/s1363919622500220
34.
KolbDA (1984) Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
35.
KwongCCheungCBhattaraiC, et al. (2022) How entrepreneurial are social entrepreneurship education providers? The role of universities’ entrepreneurial ecosystems in the provision of elective social entrepreneurship courses to business students. Studies in Higher Education47(5): 1046–1056. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2055319
36.
LaurillardD (2020) The significance of Constructionism as a distinctive pedagogy. In: Proceedings of the 2020 Constructionism Conference 2020, Dublin, Ireland.
37.
LawlerC (2011) The capitalisation of knowledge: a triple helix of university-industry-government. Studies in Higher Education36(6): 746–747. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.594602
38.
LeydesdorffLEtzkowitzH (1998) The triple helix as a model for innovation studies. Science and Public Policy25(3): 195–203.
39.
LuckinRClarkWGarnettF, et al. (2010) Learner-Generated contexts: a framework to support the effective use of technology for learning. In: LeeMMcLoughlinC (eds) Web 2.0-Based E-Learning: Applying Social Informatics for Tertiary Teaching. IGI Global, pp. 70–84.
40.
MacheridisNPaulssonA (2016) Governance of higher education—The role of proximity in teaching quality. Tertiary Education and Management22(3): 202–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/13583883.2016.1183036
41.
MasseGMoinetN (2021) Petit Bréviaire Contre L'Intelligence Superficielle. VA Éditions.
42.
MattMSchaefferS (2018) Building entrepreneurial ecosystems conducive to student entrepreneurship: new challenges for universities. Journal of Innovation Economics & Management25(1): 9–32. https://doi.org/10.3917/e.jie.025.0009
43.
MeleCSebastianiRCorsaroD (2019) Service innovation as a social construction: the role of boundary objects. Marketing Theory19(3): 259–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470593118809794
44.
NagRGioiaDA (2012) From common to uncommon knowledge: foundations of firm-specific use of knowledge as a resource. Academy of Management Journal55(2): 421–457. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2008.0352
45.
NicotraMDel GiudiceMRomanoM (2021) Fulfilling University third mission: towards an ecosystemic strategy of entrepreneurship education. Studies in Higher Education46(5): 1000–1010. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1896806
ParsonsDMacCallumK (2019) Agile and lean concepts for teaching and learning. Agile and Lean Concepts for Teaching and Learning. Singapore: Springer. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2751-3
51.
ReichertzJ (2007) Abduction: The Logic of Discovery of Grounded Theory. The Sage handbook of grounded theory, 214–228.
52.
RohrerJMKellerTElwertF (2021) Proximity can induce diverse friendships: a large randomized classroom experiment. PLoS One16(8): e0255097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255097
53.
SaleemAKausarHDeebaF (2021) Social constructivism: a new paradigm in teaching and learning environment. Perennial journal of history2(2): 403–421. https://doi.org/10.52700/pjh.v2i2.86
54.
SearleJ (1993) Participant Observation: A Way of Conducting Research. Evaluative Report.
55.
SmolentsevaA (2022) The contributions of higher education to society: a conceptual approach. Studies in Higher Education48(1): 232–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2130230
56.
StarSLGriesemerJR (1989) Institutional ecology, translations' and boundary objects: amateurs and professionals in Berkeley's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, 1907-39. Social Studies of Science19(3): 387–420. https://doi.org/10.1177/030631289019003001
57.
TorreAGallaudD (2022) Handbook of Proximity Relations. Edward Elgar Publishing.
58.
TorreAWalletF (2014) Introduction: the role of proximity relations in regional and territorial development processes. In: Regional Development and Proximity Relations. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 1–44.
59.
TrkmanP (2019) Value proposition of business schools: more than meets the eye. International Journal of Management in Education17(3): 100310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2019.100310
60.
VeltmanMEVan KeulenJVoogtJM (2019) Design principles for addressing wicked problems through boundary crossing in higher professional education. Journal of Education and Work32(2): 135–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2019.1610165
VinogradovaMKonstantinovVPrasolovV, et al. (2019) Level entrepreneurship-role in the digital economy, tendencies of improvement of the information support system. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education22(5): 1–12.
63.
WormaldP (2013) The role of value proposition in new product innovation-a development for design education. In Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of International Association of Societies of Design Research, pp. 2860–2868.
64.
YinRK (2018) Case Study Research: Design and Methods. 6th edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
65.
YrjöläM (2019) Teaching value propositions as part of the business model. Journal of Business Models7(3): 111–118.
66.
ZaheerSSchomakerMSNachumL (2012) Distance without direction. Restoring credibility to a much loved construct. Journal of International Business Studies43(1): 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2011.43
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
