Can Entrepreneurship Be Taught?

Abstract

Recognizing the importance of a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in the transition from an industrial to an information society, this paper addresses the question of whether entrepreneurship can be taught. A Japanese analysis, which links the ‘near-entrepreneurial experience’ – carefully targeted practical experience for students – to business birth rate, is presented as a positive indicator: by including the near-entrepreneurial experience in entrepreneurial training programmes, the business birth rate can be increased. This points towards the potential for well designed entrepreneurial education and training to achieve a higher impact than has often been assumed. As a specific example, Danish entrepreneurial culture, currently in a state of crisis, is discussed in the context of a particular approach adopted in North Zealand to revitalize the entrepreneurial spirit and direct it towards business start-up.