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Implementing Engineering Entrepreneurship Education at Lafayette College Introduction

Entrepreneurship is growing in relation to the fields of technology as well as the economy. As a result, the definition of entrepreneurship is evolving. According to some sources, entrepreneurship is a very broad field and can simply be defined as innovation.1 The National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship defines entrepreneurship specifically in terms of the economy and growing a business or venture.2 In general, the definition of entrepreneurship varies with people’s perceptions. Others define entrepreneurship in terms of the context of their field of study. A more accurate assessment of entrepreneurship for this study may be a more specific definition which encompasses the broad scope of entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship Center at Miami University of Ohio defines entrepreneurship as “The process of identifying, developing, and bringing a vision to life. The vision may be an innovative idea, an opportunity, or simply a better way to do something. The end result of this process is the creation of a new venture, formed under conditions of risk and considerable uncertainty.”

As the field of entrepreneurship is developed, the differences in the types of emerging entrepreneurs are developing as well. Those entrepreneurs with a specialty in the fields of technology and innovation are forming the backbone for engineering entrepreneurship. With continuing improvements in technology and new innovations being developed almost daily, there arises the need for new businesses and ventures to promote these ideas and products. These businesses and ventures are being founded by individuals with both a technical and analytical background as well as the necessary skills to become an entrepreneur. This field of engineering entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important as motivated individuals are changing society with their new and improved innovations.

The economic trend of growth is currently shifting towards the emergence of entrepreneurships. The Economist states that, “America gets more than half of its economic growth from industries that barely existed a decade ago….”3 Technical innovations are leading the way for this economic growth, making it more important that engineers understand the fundamentals underlying entrepreneurship so that they have an advantage in the field of engineering entrepreneurship. “A technological professional with entrepreneurial skills has a better chance than a business administrator of moving innovations from research into manufacturing and the marketplace.”4

Significance of Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the existing literature in the field of entrepreneurship as well as the need within Lafayette College for an entrepreneurship program. Through the study of existing entrepreneurship

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Dinardi, R., & Jones, S. (2007, June), Implementing Engineering Entrepreneurship Education At Lafayette College Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--3071