Mediating Effects of Entrepreneurship Ecosystems on Entrepreneurship Skills and Pedagogy: A Comparative Study Between The United Kingdom and Uganda.

Aguma, Dennis (2025) Mediating Effects of Entrepreneurship Ecosystems on Entrepreneurship Skills and Pedagogy: A Comparative Study Between The United Kingdom and Uganda. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Text Dennis Byaruhanga Aguma PhD Thesis_Final Version_Final Award Apr 2025.pdf - Accepted Version Download (18MB)

Abstract

Entrepreneurship Education (EE) plays a crucial role in equipping students with the skills, mindset, and competencies necessary for success in dynamic business environments. However, despite its growing prominence in higher education, there remains limited understanding of how entrepreneurship ecosystems influence the selection and effectiveness of EE pedagogies, as well as the development of entrepreneurial skills.

This research addresses this gap by examining the interplay between entrepreneurship ecosystems, EE pedagogical approaches, and entrepreneurship skills development within higher education institutions. Using a comparative case study approach, the study investigates two institutions – Birmingham City University (BCU) Business School in the UK and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Uganda – to explore how ecosystem dynamics shape EE methodologies and skills acquisition. While a quantitative survey provided foundational insights, the study primarily relied on qualitative focus group interviews with students and lecturers, offering a multi-layered, in-depth analysis of how institutional and external ecosystem factors mediate EE outcomes.

Findings reveal that while EE pedagogies are typically categorised into curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular approaches, their classification and application remain ambiguous, with misalignment between student and lecturer perceptions, and pedagogical preferences. Additionally, the study identifies two critical entrepreneurship skills – risk-taking and networking – that are not explicitly included in existing EE frameworks, such as the QAA (2012, 2018) guidelines but are increasingly essential for entrepreneurial success. Furthermore, the research introduces the Digital Landscape as a missing, yet critical, domain in Isenberg’s (2010) entrepreneurial ecosystem model, emphasising the role of ICT, social media, and digital governance in shaping EE experiences and opportunities. The study also highlights the role of culture, community and family in entrepreneurship skills development.

To address these insights, the study proposes the Adaptive Framework for Entrepreneurship Pedagogy – a comprehensive model that integrates entrepreneurial ecosystems, EE methodologies, and skill development strategies into a unified approach. The framework advocates for greater industry-academic collaboration, experiential learning, customised education pathways, and the integration of digital tools into EE.

This research contributes to both theory and practice by expanding existing
entrepreneurship ecosystem models, redefining entrepreneurship skills development, and offering a structured policy and pedagogical framework for higher education institutions. The study concludes with recommendations for educators, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, emphasising the need for more responsive, digitally integrated, and ecosystem-driven EE strategies.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 9 April 2025 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Entrepreneurship Skills; Entrepreneurship Pedagogy; Entrepreneurship Ecosystems; Entrepreneurship Education (EE); Entrepreneurship Curriculum; Experiential Learning; Digital Landscape; Culture; Family; Social Media; Aguma Framework
Subjects:	CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-02 - business studies CAH22 - education and teaching > CAH22-01 - education and teaching > CAH22-01-01 - education
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Business, Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Louise Muldowney
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2025 08:44
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2025 08:44
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16312

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