Title: The acquisition of entrepreneurial competencies in a virtual platform: a structural equation model

Authors: Valentina Iscaro; Laura Castaldi; Enrica Sepe; Claudio Turi

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Corso Gran Priorato di Malta, Capua, 81043, Italy ' Department of Economics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Corso Gran Priorato di Malta, Capua, 81043, Italy ' Department of Economics, Management, Institutions, University of Naples Federico II, Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, 26, Naples, 80126, Italy ' Department of Economics, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Corso Gran Priorato di Malta, Capua, 81043, Italy

Abstract: The goal of this work is to contribute to studies that aim to boost entrepreneurship education through the analysis and implementation of the virtual platform ExperimentaLab as a tool to support the activity of universities favouring entrepreneurship. There is a significant and substantial consensus that entrepreneurship is a skill that can be developed through education. Education should provide an innovative learning environment, thus helping students develop entrepreneurial competencies. In this vein, we designed and realised the ExperimentaLab. To test it and evaluate its educational impact, we ran simulations by role play. Data were analysed through structural equation model PLS-path modelling approach, showing that the designed structure of the ExperimentaLab fosters the acquisition of entrepreneurial competencies by would-be entrepreneurs.

Keywords: entrepreneurial education; entrepreneurial university; structural equation model; SEM; ExperimentaLab.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2018.094450

Global Business and Economics Review, 2018 Vol.20 No.5/6, pp.650 - 666

Received: 17 Jan 2017
Accepted: 25 Aug 2017
Published online: 03 Sep 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article