Teacher autonomy and agency facilitating entrepreneurship education – A study of Finnish vocational education and training

Abstract

This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of vocational education and training (VET) teachers’ actions, with a particular focus on the influence of autonomy and agency on their activities. Additionally, this study presents a conceptual model to explain the factors underlying these actions.

The study addresses the research question: Which factors influence the actions of VET teachers in entrepreneurship education? Both quantitative and qualitative approaches are employed to explore the determinants of teachers’ actions and decisions in entrepreneurship education.

The results suggest that several factors influence VET teachers’ actions. Teacher autonomy is an important factor, enabling educators to make professional decisions. However, autonomy alone is insufficient, as the teacher must choose to utilize this autonomy and express agency—or opt not to. Teacher agency includes the development of professional identity, personal skills, and the working environment, as well as the adoption of professional roles. The findings suggest that teacher agency is the primary contributor to teachers’ professional actions and decisions in entrepreneurship education. Additionally, a teacher’s own entrepreneurial experience and sense of capability in entrepreneurship are key influences. Participation in entrepreneurship education training and development initiatives within the institution and region also play significant roles. Conversely, factors such as the teacher’s gender or the number of companies in the area have no impact on teacher agency.

In summary, the key elements for enhancing VET teachers’ effectiveness in entrepreneurship education are the provision of entrepreneurship-related information and training and encouraging teachers to actively participate in the development of entrepreneurship education plans and activities within the region. Strengthening teacher agency is crucial in identifying and addressing students’ entrepreneurial needs. It is important to maintain teacher autonomy while supporting the expression of their agency.