The importance of (new) case studies for STEM entrepreneurship
04/24/2024
2 min
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Entrepreneurship education and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been identified as two important gateways for economic growth in the 21st century. Furthermore, experts have highlighted the effectiveness of using case studies to teach entrepreneurship to young STEM students, as they enable them to identify with relevant role models and challenges.
A new publication, edited by Professors Cyrine BEN-HAFAÏEDH (IÉSEG) and Thomas COONEY (Technological University Dublin, Ireland), seeks to address this need by collecting an array of diverse and contemporary STEM entrepreneurship case studies for higher education educators and students.
Eight case studies from different countries
“Cases on STEM Entrepreneurship” (Edward Elgar Publishing), brings together eight case studies: six from Europe (French, German, and Irish), one from Latin America (Chile), and one from Oceania (New Zealand). The editors chose not to use US-based cases, as these are already more widely available.
“This new publication will enable readers to discover the real stories behind STEM entrepreneurs,” notes cyrine BEN-HAFAÏEDH, a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at IÉSEG and director of the Master in Strategy and Digital Transformation. “These tales show how science and business can come together to create success. From challenges to triumphs, these stories inspire future innovators to chase their dreams with courage and creativity. Specialists from all over the world have contributed to this book that illuminates the dynamic intersection of innovation, determination, and scientific acumen.”
Each case is based on a real person or organization and invites the reader into a specific role (e.g. CEO, Marketing Director, etc.). The reader must then act as that person and take the organization forwards, which requires detailed analysis and a clear prescription of future actions.
The editors also note that women in STEM are well represented in these cases. “They are co-founders in three cases, CEO in one case, and successor in another. All these women (except one, a lawyer who is taking over a family business) have a STEM background.”
Diversity of cases
The editors also stress the diversity of the cases: business creation, growth, and takeover (succession) are each addressed, and that the cases reflect an important concern for the environment.
As often found in STEM entrepreneurship, most of the cases involve team entrepreneurship, and some are examples of academic entrepreneurship (university spin-offs). The entrepreneurs featured in the new publication also range in age and in terms of types of products and services: including apps, urban flight taxis, space rockets, and kits for rapid on-site testing of animals for parasites.
The cases feature both business-to-business (B2B) companies and business-to-consumer (B2C) enterprises, and cover important issues such as: raising capital, scaling (when and how), demonstrating traction in deep-tech projects, operations (manufacturing, distribution), radical innovation, and new ecosystems.
Find out more on the Edward Elgar website: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/cases-on-stem-entrepreneurship-9781802206272.html
