Abstract
The Sustainable Entrepreneurial Thinking module aims to help shape the global citizens necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A global citizen has a certain set of competencies, and the module develops activities that train those competencies. The SET module uses the adjectival form ‘sustainable'. When presented adjectivally the question arises as to what one is trying to sustain? This module explores the ability to sustain “the self”, “the planet”, “the organization”, and, as the course progresses, the interconnectedness of all three. Using the awareness developed in “the sustainable self” and the knowledge gained in “the sustainable planet,” students adopt the mind-set of a sustainable entrepreneur by taking on a societal challenge related to one or more SDGs, and developing innovative entrepreneurial solutions to tackle it. In the process, they train the skills, develop the knowledge, and shape the attitude on their path to becoming global citizens.
TopBackground
One underlying assumption in the SET module is that it will take global citizens, or rather all the competencies that define a global citizen, to achieve that sustainable and inclusive society. A second underlying assumption is that a global citizen has a particular set of competencies, and that these competencies can be broken down into knowledge, skills and attitudes. By training their skills, developing their knowledge, and helping to shape their attitudes students will acquire the necessary toolkit required to achieve the overall objective. A fundamental dimension of the SET module is that it is based on continuous improvement. Many of the ideas and concepts are tested, assessed with the target audience, and when applicable modified, or in some cases replaced. Guiding all the activities in the module is their ability to contribute to one or more of the competencies of a global citizen.
The authors of this chapter work together in the Business Management department of the bachelor program of European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Science (THUAS). Part of the explanation for the very positive feedback of the module thus far is their complimentary skills set, and their combined, practical experience at commercial, non-commercial and academic organisations.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Entrepreneurial: Used to describe someone who sees an opportunity to create value through business, and that is willing to take risks.
Planetary Boundaries: A concept that involves that Earth’s interconnected system processes contain environmental boundaries.
Social Entrepreneurship: An approach by individuals, groups, start-up companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund, and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues.
Beneficiary: A person who derives advantage from something.
Business model: A plan for the successful operation of a business, identifying sources of revenue, the intended customer base, products, and details of financing.
Minimum Viable Product: A minimum viable product is a version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future product development.
Design Thinking: A hands-on, user-centric approach to problem solving.
Competency: The ability to do something successfully or efficiently, often broken down into skills, knowledge, and attitude.
Sustainability: The quality of being able to continue over a period of time.
Global Citizenship: The idea that one's identity transcends geography or political borders and that responsibilities or rights are derived from membership in a broader class: “humanity”
Stakeholder: A person such as an employee, customer, citizen, who is involved with an organization, society, etc. and therefore has responsibilities towards it and an interest in its success.
Meditation: A practice where an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
Triple Bottom Line: The idea that a company's performance must be measured not only in relation to profits, but also to its effect on the environment and society as a whole.