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Expanding our understanding of the lived experience of individuals who use their creativity to realize entrepreneurial opportunity is the primary aim of this paper. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis is used, based on two interviews of one-hour duration, with eight participants. The key contribution of this research is the recognition of the Creative Industries Entrepreneur. A Creative Industries Entrepreneur is an individual who occupies a space between traditional entrepreneurship theory and established creativity models. The main driving force in opportunity formation for a Creative Industries Entrepreneur is their creative impulse. This pushes them to achieve a personhood, which can reconcile intrinsic impulses with external market forces and social imperatives.

This paper explores the use and impact of experiential learning initiatives in an entrepreneurial university. Data are taken from two sources: interviews with eight academic managers and six focus groups with learners. A mix of narrative structuring and thematic analysis is used to explore the design, delivery and assessment of experiential learning. The authors apply Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as their theoretical lens. Experiential learning evokes a mixed reaction from academic managers and students. The paper identifies three key themes (design, delivery and outcomes) which help to capture the complex mix of direct and indirect effects that experiential learning initiatives can have at both individual and institutional levels. The authors conclude that embedding experiential learning is a valuable part of the development of an entrepreneurial university.

In this paper, we explore second-level students' understanding of the concept of creativity and the implications for their engagement in class-based assessments. We propose that creativity represents an important outcome of education, particularly at second level. We use a single case study, with data presented from a series of semi-structured focus groups. The participants are students who take classes in a range of subjects including science, languages and practical subjects. Our findings suggest that second-level student's recognition and value creativity. Our findings also indicate that creativity plays a positive role in the students' educational development as it encourages them to learn new things. However, their attitudes change during second level. This is due to factors: including the attitudes of family, peers and teachers. In addition, the format of assessments and the form of feedback can contribute significantly to the students' propensity to be creative. This research contributes to the literature on the role of schools in supporting creativity.

This paper explores the implications for higher education of the emergence of new industries, driven by technological changes. The pace of technology-driven changes creates significant challenges for the alignment between the skill needs of industry and provision by higher education. Drawing on concepts from neo-correspondence theory, we examine the emergence of the FinTech sector. We present data from two structured interviews with 28 employers based in Ireland. What emerges from this study, is that the type and level of skills required by industry is changing faster than ever before. The level of competence required in "hard" skills is decreasing, as in-house training and continuous professional development requirements increase. However, there is a greater expectation that graduates will have advanced soft skills. Skill shortages exist, not because of poor industry-higher education relationships but because of a lack of understanding of employers' perceptions, preferences, and expectations.

Purpose: In an effort to enhance the student experience and achieve complex learning outcomes the use of gamification in higher education is increasing. Using two case studies, this paper explores the efficacy of two discrete inclusions of gamification in entrepreneurial education. Design/methodology/approach: In the first case study, students leveraged their taught knowledge about gamification to develop a gamified business concept. In the second case study, students played a humanitarian game and provided feedback about its design and efficacy. Findings: The students' overall engagement with entrepreneurial education was significantly influenced by two factors--their perceived learning about gamification; and their perceived engagement with the gamification. It was observed that highly engaged students considered the gamification component of the course challenging. Originality/value: This study demonstrates the potential of gamification to enhance engagement and to foster higher-order learning in the context of entrepreneurial education.

In this paper we present a qualitative study of social media marketing by small business owners in Ireland. We present data from interviews with six owner/managers, six employees, and six experts. Exploring the three perspectives simultaneously facilitates a three-way narrative. We apply narrative structuring as proposed by Kvale (2006) in order to provide insight into the understanding, practices, motivations, behavior, and activities of small businesses as they relate to marketing; specifically, social media-based marketing. The delivery of skills to small businesses create challenges for higher education in terms of the design of curriculum, pedagogy and accreditation. A significant finding of this study is the influence that the attitudes, knowledge and capacity of the owners have on their propensity to engage with social media marketing. There is a role for higher education in bridging this gap. However, this is not just in the delivering of traditional skills, but working as facilitators and developing student, graduate and employee advocates through a comprehensive provision of experiential and work-based learning initiatives. This paper presents novel insights and improves our understanding of the role of higher education in supporting the training needs of small businesses. In our conclusion we present a series of recommendations on the design of customized training programs for small businesses.

In this paper the authors explore the implications for higher education of the disruptions caused by changes in the retail sector resulting from rapid developments in technology. Industry 4.0 technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, blockchain, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality are increasingly evident in the retail sector. While predictions vary as to the extent of the disruption, retailers agree that embracing technology is now a necessity. The evidence in the paper is taken from a diverse sample of 60 senior managers across 24 retail companies in Ireland. The authors adopt a mixed-methods approach to data collection. They report that the skills required to perform in retail now and in the future will be a combination of human, digital and traditional skills. What emerges from the study is that advances in technology necessitate the provision of new hard skills, but importantly reinforce the necessity for soft skills so that the potential of the new technology can be fully understood and utilised. Helping retail employees upskill and future proof is a major challenge for higher education. Retailers need to proactively develop their employees by identifying clear progression pathways and promoting careers in retail.

While studies have used assessments on gender differences regarding social and emotional development, there remains a lack of research on the abilities as well as difficulties that are expressed by pre-school aged boys and girls. This study examines the influence of gender on the development of social and emotional competencies during pre-school. Pre-school Practitioners within five pre-school settings, completed a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); and an Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) at two separate intervals. ERQ results indicate that boys initially express greater emotional difficulties and by the end of term three, the amount of difficulties decrease for both boys and girls. Between pre and post time scales, both boys and girls were able to increase their abilities and boys rated higher in emotional competency abilities (facilitated by adults). SDQ results indicate that girls had higher proficiencies in the pro-social scale. Furthermore, boys show more improvements than girls between intervals.

Purpose: A diverse range of initiatives in relation to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) have been introduced in higher education systems over the past 20 years. This paper aims to explore the implementation of RPL initiatives, in an Irish context, and the implications for quality assurance in higher education. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach is adopted, to provide an enhanced understanding of the impact of RPL initiatives. Data is presented from interviews with key stakeholders: six academics, six coordinators and six learners who availed of RPL. Findings: The introduction of RPL requires higher education institutions to adopt new approaches to the design and delivery of their programmes and also to review and revise quality assurance frameworks. This paper presents key insights across five over-arching themes (ambitions and outcomes; caution and suspicion; in the classroom; assessment and examinations; and life after university). Originality/value: The introduction of RPL evokes a mixed reaction from stakeholders, and there is a range of differing experiences, leading to differences in attitudes and unintended impacts. This study provides insights both at an individual and institutional levels using experiential learning theory.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the experiences, attitudes and expectations of higher education managers in relation to the increased use of metrics. Specifically, the authors examine a system of metrics which was introduced as part of the process for establishing Technological Universities in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 12 managers were interviewed. The authors present data from the interviews in which the authors explore: the previous use of metrics; the impacts of the introduction of metrics; and the future use of metrics. A mix of narrative structuring and thematic analysis is used. Findings: The introduction of metrics evokes a mixed reaction from the managers. The metrics allow performance in a range of activities to be measured, assessed and benchmarked. However, there are both direct and indirect impacts of the transition to a metric-based system, which the authors explore using six themes. Originality/value: The authors apply the Academics Responding to Change model proposed by Trowler (1998) as the theoretical lens. This helps to capture the complex mix of direct and indirect effects that metrics can have on activities both at an individual and institutional level.

Purpose: This paper explores the implications for higher education of the rapid development in technology used by the manufacturing sector. Higher education programmes change or new courses are introduced in attempts to match labour market demands. However, the pace of change in the manufacturing industry challenges the authors to reconceive how programmes and modules can and should be designed and delivered. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on interviews with 26 senior management representatives from manufacturing companies in Ireland. The 26 senior managers and their companies represent the wide diversity of Ireland's manufacturing sector. All the interviews were face to face, complimented by a short questionnaire. Follow-up interviews focussed on the emergent findings were carried out to aid the writing of recommendations for the best practice in programme design and delivery. Findings: What emerges from this study is that the manufacturing industry needs skills at three distinct levels. The authors define and classify the skill requirements at entry, competent and expert level. The authors place an emphasis on upskilling as an aid to movement between the three levels. In addition, and significantly, the desired time frame for delivery of these skills and/or upskilling is very short. Originality/value: Accelerated reskilling programmes with faster, shorter bursts of work-based learning (WBL) and experiential training are required. With a growing demand for those at competent and expert level, it is necessary to promote WBL to facilitate the upskilling of those employed in manufacturing roles, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The emergence of digital technologies is transforming entrepreneurial processes and outcomes. This creates a plethora of research questions at the intersection of digital technologies and entrepreneurship. A key question is if existing entrepreneurial models are applicable to understanding digital entrepreneurship. In this study we provide novel insights by exploring the following research question: How are established models of the entrepreneurial journey and the entrepreneurial experience challenged by the proliferation of social media? We utilize the entrepreneurial journey model proposed by Morris and Kuratko (2020) and the ten characteristics of the entrepreneurial experience proposed by Morris et al., (2012) as reference tools to understand if traditional process-based approaches to entrepreneurship are still relevant within a social media digital context. We provide novel contributions to traditional descriptions of entrepreneurship by providing an augmented view through a digital lens. The findings illustrate that the proliferation of social media challenges our established theoretical understanding of both the entrepreneurial journey and the entrepreneurial experience. We also provide new insights into the lived experiences of social media entrepreneurs, who are a distinct type of entrepreneur, with very different entrepreneurial journeys and experiences compared to traditional entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the key challenges experienced by employers, employees and academics during work-based learning (WBL) programmes. Higher education institutes (HEIs) and external employer organizations are increasingly recognizing the benefits of engaging in WBL partnerships. These collaborations offer significant benefits to employers, employees and HEIs. The challenges associated with WBL place demands on the design of curriculum, pedagogy and accreditation. One of the major challenges facing the HEI and employer organization relates to organizational culture. The purpose of this article is to present an organizational culture web that recognizes the requirements of all stakeholders participating in a WBL partnership. An ethnographic methodology combining a number of different data-gathering methods was adopted. Johnson's cultural web is used as a framework to present a series of recommendations for HEIs to review when considering WBL partnerships. The understanding of best practice in the design of WBL programmes is enriched.

This article explores the workplace experience of seven science, engineering and technology graduates. The research design and methodology used in the study are exploratory, in-depth and qualitative in nature. The case study companies are located in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and employ the graduates under the FUSION project. The case study method is among a number of research techniques that has been used in a business setting to improve practice. The literature indicates that graduates need a broad range of knowledge and skills and personal attributes to operate in the workplace, including general and specific knowledge of the industry, discipline-based knowledge, technical competency, commercial awareness and management skills and key personal attributes and skills. The experience of the graduates is explored from three perspectives: the graduate, the academic and the workplace supervisor. The findings indicate that graduates undertake four key roles: technologist, project manager, team worker and graduate. Furthermore, their main responsibilities relate to knowledge of the industry, discipline knowledge, management skills and personal attributes. This article confirms the need for industry and higher education to develop and promote the workplace as a learning environment and to support graduates as they transition into the workplace.

This study explores teachers' experiences of peer observation in a post-primary setting. We begin by reviewing the literature on the peer observation of teaching, teacher professional development, professional learning communities and reflective practice. A qualitative, inductive, multi-method case study is used. Four pairs of teachers participated. A questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and reflective logs were used for data collection. The data were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that peer observation leads to reflective practice which consequently results in personalised learning for the participants. Peer observation appears to enhance staff collegiality, facilitates the emergence of a professional learning community and enhances individual teacher self-efficacy. This research concludes that teachers require supports to help them develop reflective skills. Additional research is required to explore the relationship between teacher reflection and continuous professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Action learning involves balancing the often conflicting forces between working knowledge and academic knowledge. This paper explores the experience of executive learners; academics and external contributors involved in action learning at the postgraduate level. The executive learners are members of cohorts on two masters programmes based in Ireland. The programmes adopt an action learning methodology. Action learning supports a reflective culture for the executive learners and an enriched understanding of their workplace. The challenges associated with action learning are explored. The understanding of best practice in the facilitation of action learning for executive learners is enriched for practitioners and academics. The use of narrative structuring provides an insight into the reality of action learning for executive learners. If action learning is to be successfully integrated into executive education, then there needs to be high levels of communication, commitment and trust between the executive learners; academics and external contributors.

The 'recycling' of people, capital and ideas is a key process that can support activity in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Previous research has shown that knowledge recycled from prior employment is important for the entrepreneurial ecosystem and we expand upon this to understand which types of knowledge, as well as individual motivations for transferring this knowledge. We have created a novel dataset to track employee career trajectories within an ecosystem, showing the extent to which employees derive experience from within the ecosystem as well as the extent to which they recycle their entrepreneurial experience by returning to employment. A sample from this dataset participated in semi‐structured interviews. The interviews provide early empirical evidence on entrepreneurial recycling through career mobility and development within entrepreneurial ecosystems. In contrast to prior findings of a low prevalence of direct entrepreneurial activity through entrepreneurial recycling, we show a high prevalence of entrepreneurs who have previously worked in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and that these entrepreneurs often recycle back to employment within the ecosystem. In this process the individuals develop and transfer tangible skills developed in entrepreneurship. This is motivated by a need for regrouping and further developing the tacit knowledge to put them back in a position to seek self‐realisation through entrepreneurship. In the process this exposes them to new activities that enable the development of tangible skills and the motivation to regroup once again, and complete the loop of entrepreneurial recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the experiences of graduates who participated in a range of Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs) in Ireland. The paper uses narrative structuring to provide an enhanced understanding of the graduates' experiences. A review of the literature indicates that most empirical studies of the effects of ALMPs are quantitative. Typically, the studies evaluate whether participation in a programme increases the individual probability of leaving unemployment. This paper argues that other, softer outcomes must also be studied if the impact of ALMPs is to be properly understood. The author therefore adopts a qualitative approach to examine the impact of ALMPs on graduates. The data collected during in-depth interviews indicate a mixed picture. While graduates found their experiences during the ALMPs positive in the main, the impact on their outlook and job prospects is not encouraging. Too often, the graduates express a view that the ALMPs are a "short-term fix", offering little prospect of secure employment. The paper identifies the potential problem of deactivation in addition to the problems of deadweight loss, substitution and displacement reported by Fraser (1999).

Purpose: The paper aims to explore the experience of graduates in the workplace. The aim is to study how these experiences differ from the expectations of the graduates and the aspirations of their academics. Design/methodology/approach: The research involved two phases: first, a survey was conducted of marketing academics. This survey examined how the academics conceived the relevance of their teaching strategies to the work environment in small-to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Second, marketing graduates who are employed by SMEs were interviewed. The interviews explored the experience of graduates in the SME workplace environment. Findings: The findings from this paper indicate that a graduate's perception of the skills and competencies they will use in the workplace are different to the reality of working in an SMEs. Practical implications: Graduates need to be cognisant that although academic theory and principles have value in the planning of workplace activities their employers will focus appraisal on the outcomes/outputs of their actions rather than the theoretical basis for these actions. Furthermore, the reality of the workplace is that the application of theory and subject-specific knowledge is only one element of the activities required by SMEs. Originality/value: The paper focuses on research that seeks to enhance the understanding of the experience of graduates in the workplace.

Graduate development programmes such as FUSION continue to be seen by policy makers, higher education institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as primary means of strengthening higher education-business links and in turn improving the match between graduate output and the needs of industry. This paper provides evidence from case studies. The findings indicate that the practical application of academic principles in real-world settings provides a useful learning vehicle for academics, graduates and SMEs. Key success factors and strategies for overcoming obstacles emerged from the case studies. In light of these findings, the authors make tentative recommendations to aid the future delivery of similar programmes.