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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an entrepreneurship training and education programme,
which has already had five editions in the Sabor region of Portugal’s northern interior. This evaluation was
conducted in order to propose new guidelines to improve the Sabor Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP).
Design/methodology/approach – The research included primary data collection using mixed methods
(i.e. quantitative and qualitative). Questionnaires were distributed to 103 entrepreneurs who participated in
the SEP, and interviews were conducted with entities involved in developing this programme. The data were
processed using cross-sectional content analysis of the interviews and descriptive analysis of the completed
questionnaires in order to ascertain the opinions of all the parties involved in the SEP.
Findings – The results show that the SEP has been modified throughout the five editions, which has
contributed to better performance. Based on the findings, new guidelines were proposed for the programme,
such as the implementation of new phases and improvement of various methods used. The proposed phases
include the validation and full development of business ideas, management decision training for
entrepreneurs, help with financing solutions and support during new companies’ first three years. The results
also indicate that the SEP needs to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that includes public policies and the
involvement of other local entities that are active in the region and that have the skills entrepreneurs need.
Originality/value – This study’s findings have theoretical and practical implications, which provide
empirical evidence of how evaluating entrepreneurship education and training programmes can make them
more effective and efficient. In addition, the results contribute to the evolution of the existing knowledge
about entrepreneurial ecosystems
Description
Keywords
Training Performance evaluation Education Ecosystem entrepreneur Entrepreneurship programme
Citation
Galvão, A., Marques, C., Ferreira, J. (2019). Evaluation of an Entrepreneurship Training Programme: A Proposal for New Guidelines, Education + Training, 61 (2): 136-152