Periodic Reporting for period 2 - WOentrecompMEN (A comparative Study of Italy-USA on male and female entrepreneurship through the EntreComp Framework)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-09-01 do 2024-08-31
The WOentrecompMEN project successfully enhanced, refined, and validated the EntreComp Framework, establishing it as a practical and versatile tool for designing formal education and training, as well as for assessing and developing entrepreneurial competencies. By applying the EntreComp Framework to evaluate the competencies of American and Italian entrepreneurs, both male and female, as well as entrepreneurship students, the project advanced its objectives as defined in the Description of Action (DoA), successfully achieving its targeted goals.
The project also encompassed a range of interconnected research streams within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, each leveraging a competency-based approach. These streams included exploring coachability, conducting a gender-focused analysis of student competencies, and assessing the impact of AI on entrepreneurial skill development.
Through the WOentrecompMEN project, the Experienced Researcher (ER) made substantial contributions to the field of entrepreneurial competencies. The ER also introduced innovative, competency-based methodologies and tools, fostering a more holistic approach to developing entrepreneurial competencies.
The ER's active participation in entrepreneurship conferences, international training programs, and visits to prestigious academic institutions amplified the project’s influence, fostering global knowledge exchange and cross-fertilization of ideas.
In conclusion, WOentrecompMEN successfully achieved its objectives, delivering valuable research contributions and significantly enhancing the ER's competencies and expertise in entrepreneurship and gender-related studies. These achievements provide a foundation for further research, educational programs, and policy development in entrepreneurship and gender equality.
The project also encompassed a range of interconnected research streams within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, each leveraging a competency-based approach. These streams included exploring coachability, conducting a gender-focused analysis of student competencies, and assessing the impact of AI on entrepreneurial skill development.
Through the WOentrecompMEN project, the Experienced Researcher (ER) made substantial contributions to the field of entrepreneurial competencies. The ER also introduced innovative, competency-based methodologies and tools, fostering a more holistic approach to developing entrepreneurial competencies.
The ER's active participation in entrepreneurship conferences, international training programs, and visits to prestigious academic institutions amplified the project’s influence, fostering global knowledge exchange and cross-fertilization of ideas.
In conclusion, WOentrecompMEN successfully achieved its objectives, delivering valuable research contributions and significantly enhancing the ER's competencies and expertise in entrepreneurship and gender-related studies. These achievements provide a foundation for further research, educational programs, and policy development in entrepreneurship and gender equality.
The WOentrecompMEN project effectively met and exceeded its objectives, producing significant research contributions, including four peer-reviewed articles, a non-peer-reviewed paper, a book chapter, and a strong pipeline of ongoing research. The ER attended seven international conferences and engaged in training programs and study visits that broadened the project’s impact.
Summary of Main Achievements by Work Package (WP):
WP 1: Management
The project was effectively managed and monitored, adhering to the original DoA without deviations.
WP 2: Training Phase at OU
Training focused on entrepreneurial competence frameworks, innovative educational methods, and student teaching and supervision, with no deviations from the DoA. A comprehensive career development plan was crafted and updated, and study visits were organized at Babson College, the University of Tampa, and Indiana University, fostering international exposure and insights into best practices in entrepreneurship education.
WP 3: Training Phase at UNIBZ
Formative interventions and teaching activities were mostly completed satisfactorily. Integration with the UNIBZ Faculty of Economics’ Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Management cluster facilitated formative interventions and collaboration with researchers and professors, enhancing the ER's competencies in the field. Although student supervision was initially planned, opportunities did not align with the ER’s research focus, and priorities shifted towards research upon returning to UNIBZ.
WP 4: Research Activity 1 at OU
Research tasks, including pilot testing, tool refinement, data collection, and analysis, were completed as planned, receiving an "Excellent" rating from the ER. A total of 36 interviews exceeded minimum requirements and ensured gender representation. Additionally, a supplementary study on "coachability" led to the development of a coachability scale and personalized feedback mechanisms for students, expanding the project’s contributions to entrepreneurial competency research.
WP 5: Research Activity 2 at UNIBZ
Data collection, analysis, and hypothesis development were completed as planned and rated "Excellent" by the ER. Research met all original DoA expectations, with 32 interviews conducted, and expanded knowledge of competencies in the European entrepreneurial context.
WP 6: Dissemination and Exploitation
Dissemination efforts received an "Excellent" rating from the ER, surpassing expectations through six scientific publications, seven conference participations, and the use of diverse dissemination channels.
WP 7: Communication and Public Engagement
Communication activities were successfully completed and rated "Excellent" by the ER, with minor adjustments to the initial communication plan. A dedicated project website, social media campaigns (on LinkedIn and Twitter/X), press articles, and innovative formats like podcasts and videos reached a wide audience, engaging over 30,000 individuals.
Summary of Main Achievements by Work Package (WP):
WP 1: Management
The project was effectively managed and monitored, adhering to the original DoA without deviations.
WP 2: Training Phase at OU
Training focused on entrepreneurial competence frameworks, innovative educational methods, and student teaching and supervision, with no deviations from the DoA. A comprehensive career development plan was crafted and updated, and study visits were organized at Babson College, the University of Tampa, and Indiana University, fostering international exposure and insights into best practices in entrepreneurship education.
WP 3: Training Phase at UNIBZ
Formative interventions and teaching activities were mostly completed satisfactorily. Integration with the UNIBZ Faculty of Economics’ Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Management cluster facilitated formative interventions and collaboration with researchers and professors, enhancing the ER's competencies in the field. Although student supervision was initially planned, opportunities did not align with the ER’s research focus, and priorities shifted towards research upon returning to UNIBZ.
WP 4: Research Activity 1 at OU
Research tasks, including pilot testing, tool refinement, data collection, and analysis, were completed as planned, receiving an "Excellent" rating from the ER. A total of 36 interviews exceeded minimum requirements and ensured gender representation. Additionally, a supplementary study on "coachability" led to the development of a coachability scale and personalized feedback mechanisms for students, expanding the project’s contributions to entrepreneurial competency research.
WP 5: Research Activity 2 at UNIBZ
Data collection, analysis, and hypothesis development were completed as planned and rated "Excellent" by the ER. Research met all original DoA expectations, with 32 interviews conducted, and expanded knowledge of competencies in the European entrepreneurial context.
WP 6: Dissemination and Exploitation
Dissemination efforts received an "Excellent" rating from the ER, surpassing expectations through six scientific publications, seven conference participations, and the use of diverse dissemination channels.
WP 7: Communication and Public Engagement
Communication activities were successfully completed and rated "Excellent" by the ER, with minor adjustments to the initial communication plan. A dedicated project website, social media campaigns (on LinkedIn and Twitter/X), press articles, and innovative formats like podcasts and videos reached a wide audience, engaging over 30,000 individuals.
The ER's achievements have significantly advanced the state of the art, leading to tangible outcomes and potential long-term impacts:
Outcomes:
1. Innovative Use of Behavioral Event Interview (BEI): This research introduced a novel application of the BEI technique with entrepreneurs, enabling a detailed analysis of their reflective processes after key entrepreneurial events and failure episodes.
2. Tailored Entrepreneurial Education: The research findings offer the potential to design highly targeted entrepreneurship programs that address specific competency gaps. This tailored approach presents a more efficient and impactful way to develop the entrepreneurial competencies necessary for success of female and male entrepreneurs.
3. Gender-Inclusive Entrepreneurship Research: A key achievement of this research is the successful integration of gender dimensions into entrepreneurship studies on entrepreneurial competencies. This inclusive approach not only enhances the scientific quality of the results but also increases their societal relevance.
Impacts:
1. Enhanced Entrepreneurship Education: The deeper understanding of entrepreneurial competency development resulting from this project can directly inform the design of more effective, targeted entrepreneurship education programs. These programs will better equip entrepreneurship students and aspiring entrepreneurs by focusing on the competencies that matter most.
2. Inclusive Entrepreneurship Practices: By incorporating a gender-inclusive perspective, the research is already influencing the development of more equitable entrepreneurship practices and policies, encouraging greater diversity and inclusivity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
3. Theoretical Advancements in Entrepreneurship: This project has contributed to advancing existing entrepreneurship theories and frameworks by integrating interdisciplinary perspectives on entrepreneurial competencies and gender considerations, offering new insights for the field.
The ER is committed to continuing the dissemination of these research findings and to acting as an MSC Ambassador. With a paper under review and three working papers in progress, the goal is to publish them in the coming year, further contributing to the academic and practical understanding of entrepreneurship.
By contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical solutions, the project holds the potential to shape future policies and practices in entrepreneurship, ultimately fostering a more diverse and competent entrepreneurial landscape.
Outcomes:
1. Innovative Use of Behavioral Event Interview (BEI): This research introduced a novel application of the BEI technique with entrepreneurs, enabling a detailed analysis of their reflective processes after key entrepreneurial events and failure episodes.
2. Tailored Entrepreneurial Education: The research findings offer the potential to design highly targeted entrepreneurship programs that address specific competency gaps. This tailored approach presents a more efficient and impactful way to develop the entrepreneurial competencies necessary for success of female and male entrepreneurs.
3. Gender-Inclusive Entrepreneurship Research: A key achievement of this research is the successful integration of gender dimensions into entrepreneurship studies on entrepreneurial competencies. This inclusive approach not only enhances the scientific quality of the results but also increases their societal relevance.
Impacts:
1. Enhanced Entrepreneurship Education: The deeper understanding of entrepreneurial competency development resulting from this project can directly inform the design of more effective, targeted entrepreneurship education programs. These programs will better equip entrepreneurship students and aspiring entrepreneurs by focusing on the competencies that matter most.
2. Inclusive Entrepreneurship Practices: By incorporating a gender-inclusive perspective, the research is already influencing the development of more equitable entrepreneurship practices and policies, encouraging greater diversity and inclusivity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
3. Theoretical Advancements in Entrepreneurship: This project has contributed to advancing existing entrepreneurship theories and frameworks by integrating interdisciplinary perspectives on entrepreneurial competencies and gender considerations, offering new insights for the field.
The ER is committed to continuing the dissemination of these research findings and to acting as an MSC Ambassador. With a paper under review and three working papers in progress, the goal is to publish them in the coming year, further contributing to the academic and practical understanding of entrepreneurship.
By contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical solutions, the project holds the potential to shape future policies and practices in entrepreneurship, ultimately fostering a more diverse and competent entrepreneurial landscape.