Concept of entrepreneurship education in the argumentation of the heads of local education

Abstract

This study contributes to the research in entrepreneurship education by taking part in the conversation on definition clarity of entrepreneurship education. The focus of the study is on the management of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of the heads of local education and culture departments (HECs) in Finland. HECs contribute to the promotion of municipal entrepreneurship education as they are responsible for recording it in municipal strategies and educational resources. This study examines the attitudes HECs have about entrepreneurship education and how they define its concept by evaluating its important objects and functions. The study results suggest that HECs’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship education are positive. The interviewed HECs defined entrepreneurship education in a versatile manner, but the evaluation of external entrepreneurship was minor and narrow in their justifications. A narrow interpretation of external entrepreneurship may limit the comprehension and management of entrepreneurship education.