Empowering India: The Imperative for Entrepreneurship Education

Discover the captivating narrative of India's journey from colonial oppression to a global innovation powerhouse in this groundbreaking book. Delve into how a nation once stifled by historical constraints is now reclaiming its role as a beacon of innovation on the world stage. Whether you're a visionary entrepreneur, an experienced leader, or simply intrigued by India's transformation, this book is your indispensable companion. Gain invaluable insights into navigating this dynamic market, forging strategic partnerships, and harnessing India's disruptive potential for your own success.

Entrepreneurship has attracted global interest for its potential to catalyze economic and social development. Research suggesting that certain entrepreneurial mindsets and skills can be learned has given rise to the field of entrepreneurship education and training (EET). Despite the growth of EET, global knowledge about these programs and their impact remains thin. In response, this study surveys the available literature and program evaluations to propose a Conceptual Framework for understanding the EET program landscape. The study finds that EET today consists of a heterogeneous mix of programs that can be broken into two groups: entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship training. These programs target a range of participants: secondary and post-secondary education students, as well as potential and practicing entrepreneurs. The outcomes measured by program evaluations are equally diverse but generally fall under the domains of entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities, entrepreneurial status, and entrepreneurial performance. The dimensions of EET programs vary according the particular target group. Programs targeting secondary education students focus on the development of foundational skills linked to entrepreneurship, while post-secondary education programs emphasize skills related to strategic business planning. Programs targeting potential entrepreneurs generally are embedded within broader support programs and tend to target vulnerable populations for whom employment alternatives may be limited. While programs serving practicing entrepreneurs focus on strengthening entrepreneurs knowledge, skills and business practices, which while unlikely to transform an enterprise in the near term, may accrue benefits to entrepreneurs over time. The study also offers implications for policy and program implementation, emphasizing the importance of clarity about target groups and desired outcomes when making program choices, and sound understanding of extent to which publicly-supported programs offer a broader public good, and compare favorably to policy alternatives for supporting the targeted individuals as well as the overall economic and social objectives.

This edited collection emerged from the need to know how business schools in Asia are inculcating responsible management. Data for the book was sourced from (a) the workshop proceedings of the 6th PRME Asia Forum held in November 2015 and (b) case studies submitted as part of the Forum. Academics from India, China, Philippines, New Zealand, USA and Hong Kong (who taught in Asia) contributed to the workshop / the case studies. The book describes how some Asian business schools are incorporating ethics, social responsibility and sustainability into their curricular and extra-curricular activities. It identifies the challenges faced in providing such education and the implications thereof. In the process, it captures the unique flavour of Asian business schools. Business schools in Asia appear to have introduced several stand-alone courses on ethics and corporate responsibility. They have adopted pedagogies suited to the profile of their students. Many have promoted a concern for the poor through volunteering, projects or internships with NGOs. However, few have made responsible management a central part of their business school curriculum. Greater integration of responsible management into the curriculum requires supportive administrative policies, greater cross-functional interaction and the development of context-appropriate learning materials.

"Microfinance Metaverse Intervention in Changing Context" delves into the transformative intersection of microfinance and the burgeoning metaverse. As the digital realm of the metaverse expands, the book explores its profound implications on microfinance, examining how virtual banking and digital currencies are revolutionizing grassroots financial services. Beyond traditional models, microfinance institutions are now tapping into virtual economies, leveraging immersive technologies to reach underserved populations with unparalleled efficiency. The narrative seamlessly intertwines the technological nuances of the metaverse with the core principles of microfinance, offering insights into the democratization of finance in this digital age. Yet, with innovation come challenges. The book doesn't shy away from addressing the regulatory hurdles, ethical dilemmas, and socio-economic considerations that this fusion introduces. A groundbreaking exploration, it lays the foundation for understanding the next frontier in financial inclusion in our ever-evolving digital landscape.