Sandrine Le Pontois

Composition of the Jury

Abstract

Given the resources committed and the high expectations of its various stakeholders, entrepreneurship education (EE) is evaluated on its ability to produce the expected impacts on students. These impacts, however, remain difficult to grasp because they are multidimensional, diffuse, and delayed. This doctoral work falls within the existing body of research focused on understanding the impacts of EE in order to improve its effectiveness in higher education. Complementing previous research on the objectives ('why', 'for what results'), content ('what'), methods ('how'), and target audiences of EE ('for whom'), our study adds three further dimensions to consider when evaluating the impact of an EE program and its perceived effectiveness among the various stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: 'where', 'by whom', and 'within what timeframe'. Our thesis, based on articles, finds theoretical and managerial applications in Management Sciences concerning i) teamwork, ii) the links between educational and business environments and entrepreneurial learning, iii) the professional development of entrepreneurship teachers, and iv) the design of frameworks for evaluating the impact and effectiveness of entrepreneurship education (EE) programs. Indeed, the results from our five articles, linked to the eight constituent dimensions of EE identified, contribute to the development of an integrative model for evaluating the impact of EE. This model supports the systematic and effective design, management, and evaluation of existing or new EE programs across all dimensions considered relevant by all stakeholders.