Towards a conceptual understanding of entrepreneurial learning

Abstract

This paper summarises the conclusions from research which explores how people learn entrepreneurial behaviour. Although learning can be said to have a critical role in entrepreneurial achievement, the relationship is not well understood and, given the growing public policy emphasis which aims to stimulate entrepreneurship through formal education, there is a need for a greater understanding of how entrepreneurial capabilities are developed through life and work. The primary research method is through life story interviews with people who have demonstrated entrepreneurial attainment in running business ventures. In‐depth interviews explored their stories of the learning they experienced during their careers and business ventures. From the interpretation and analysis of these narratives, a number of significant themes emerge which suggest how the respondents made sense of their experiences and developed their entrepreneurial capabilities. From these themes, a conceptual model which relates the development of entrepreneurial learning to entrepreneurial achievement is proposed.