ENTREPRENEUR LEARNING FROM FAILURE: EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT AND IMPACTS ON RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TEACHING FOR TALENTS
ENTREPRENEUR LEARNING FROM FAILURE: EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT AND IMPACTS ON RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TEACHING FOR TALENTS

Author(s): Yuliyan Narlev
Subject(s): Economy, Business Economy / Management, Human Resources in Economy
Published by: Икономически университет - Варна
Keywords: Entrepreneurial failure; experiential learning; reflexive methodology; entrepreneurial learning
Summary/Abstract: Failure constitutes an inherent element of the entrepreneurial journey; nevertheless, its function within entrepreneurship education has evolved considerably. Preliminary research principally regarded failure as a detrimental outcome, accentuating its financial, emotional, and reputational costs (Singh et al., 2007). However, contemporary scholarship underscores failure as a pivotal learning experience, cultivating resilience, adaptive decision-making, and ethical reflection (Shepherd, 2003; Cope, 2011). This paper traces the evolution of entrepreneurial learning from failure, examining its implications for responsible entrepreneurship education. Drawing on insights from reflexive methodology (Alvesson & Sköldberg, 2009), systems thinking (Hägg et al., 2024), and experiential learning theories, we propose a structured pedagogical framework that integrates failure learning into entrepreneurship curricula. By adopting a failure-based learning approach, educators can nurture entrepreneurial mindsets characterised by reflection, social responsibility, and ethical grounding. The discussion underscores pivotal teaching strategies, including the utilisation of failure-based case studies, ethical dilemma exercises, and structured self-reflection practices. The paper contends that the integration of failure learning into entrepreneurship education enhances students' capacity to navigate complex and uncertain environments while cultivating responsible, sustainable, and inclusive entrepreneurial practices.

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