In the last week of August, an international ESU conference was held in Estonia, organised by TalTech and in cooperation with the University of Tartu, which brings together young and experienced researchers in the field of entrepreneurship at an agreed time each year. As many as 17 esteemed researchers participated in discussions and mentored PhD students from 15 European countries who had presented their research for discussion in ESU Summer School sessions or at the conference.
Topics covered the challenges of entrepreneurship – can entrepreneurship save the planet (Steffen Farni, Aalto and University of Lüneburg); how to develop an environment where science-based entrepreneurship can take off. Either a university-supported creative process with an artefact at its heart (Henrik Berglund, Chalmers) or artificially created environments that preach sustainability without being sustainable (Lars Jonsson, Uppsala). What is an entrepreneurial university? These were the topics discussed during the first two days in Tartu.
On the third day, there was a conference, which resulted in the best research award for Robert Hoyer, PhD, from Leuphana University, who was recognised for his innovative research design, among other things. Robert explores failure in entrepreneurship through a process perspective using a qualitative meta-analysis method. We look forward to the publication of his work.
The fourth day was dedicated to new methodologies such as Bayesian (Petri Nokelainen, Tampere) and the opportunities and challenges of publishing in entrepreneurship (Ulla Hytti, Turku).
1 September was entirely dedicated to entrepreneurship education. The day was kicked off by Thomas Lans (The Netherlands), who then presented TalTech's learning methodology based on entrepreneurial competences, which was highly appreciated by the participants. The day was concluded by a discussion on expectations, challenges and future vision for entrepreneurship education, led by Michela Loi (Cagliari). Internationally renowned and recognised experts such as Ulla Hytti, Paula Kyrö, Alain Fayolle, Francisco Liñan and others took part in the discussion. The challenges of entrepreneurship education already start with the very specific definition of objectives and the lack of good indicators. However, there are also many good practices and methodologies that are not widely publicised. There is a lack of international empirical studies. Even the best experts cannot solve this in a day.
It was agreed to set up and co-create an international interest group on entrepreneurship education. Finally, the participants visited Laulasmaa and the Arvo Pärt Centre, which left a lasting impression on the foreign guests. Next year the meeting will take place in Linz.