Promoting Values through Sustainable Entrepreneurial Education – An Axiological perspective

Purpose: In this paper we argue that definitions around value creation and value capture in entrepreneurial education have, in a way, detached values from entrepreneurship definitions to be thought of as an add on. We use an axiological lens to highlight the need to bring together the different views underpinning value creation and value capture under one teaching model
Prior work: Emerging literature discusses the role of pedagogical practice and sustainable development in the field, but without adequate linking to creditable theoretical underpinnings to investigate purpose, application, delivery and content of entrepreneurial programmes.
Approach: We place the entrepreneur as a social learner who actively engages with his/her context to develop real insights of what it means to be a practicing entrepreneur.
Results: An axiological lens is applied to highlight a consequentialist perspective to sustainable entrepreneurial education, whereby entrepreneurs learn to consider the consequences of their enterprises in an authentic way.
Implications: The paper highlights the opportunity for HEI business schools to engage students in meaningful practices whereby they become responsible for the relevance and consequences of their actions.
Value: The paper contributes to literature by highlighting authentic learning as an appropriate pedagogical practice for sustainable entrepreneurial education, and stresses the role of this practice in developing entrepreneurs who are true to themselves as well as their societies and economies.