Entrepreneurial Learning and Entrepreneurship Education in Business: Τhe Case of the Aegean Archipelago

Abstract

Entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurship education are two distinct concepts which, even though they are often considered identical, are clearly differentiated in academic literature. While a significant number of studies have explored the ways in which entrepreneurship is taught within formal education systems, such as university programs and structured training initiatives, there are also studies emphasizing experiential forms of entrepreneurial learning. These include learning through observation, accumulated experience, and informal knowledge-sharing mechanisms, which are fundamentally different from structured educational approaches. This research aimed to map the landscape of entrepreneurial knowledge and education among businesses and entrepreneurs in the Aegean Archipelago, addressing a notable gap in the documentation of entrepreneurial activity in this geographically specific context. Drawing on data collected from 512 businesses/entrepreneurs, the research provides valuable insights into how entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurship education are perceived, acquired, and applied. The findings shed light on both the formal and informal mechanisms through which entrepreneurs develop their skills, offering a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship in peripheral and regional environments.