Psychological ownership in team-based entrepreneurship education activities
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 1 June 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore psychological ownership (PO) during team-based projects as part of entrepreneurship education.
Design/methodology/approach
The critical incident technique using semi-structured interviews was adopted on a sample of 20 participants involved in team-based entrepreneurship education activities. From reported critical incidents interpretation of the participants’ perceived ownership behaviour centred on: “what” participants perceived they owned; “when” PO occurred; and “how” they perceived that ownership.
Findings
Different forms of collective and individual levels PO exist as an important element in the context of team-based entrepreneurship education activities. The form of PO changes at junctures during different stages of team-based entrepreneurship education activity. Moreover, PO is heavily influenced by a range of individual and group-based factors, specifically the social interaction at the start of such projects and self-reflection towards the end.
Research limitations/implications
Further investigations might be made on the measures of PO, and on the relationship between PO and learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education. The impact of group dynamics and culture on the formation of PO should be addressed.
Practical implications
As an important element for effective entrepreneurship education, PO should be promoted through team oriented, authentic and experiential activities allowing nurturing and encouraging contacts with various stakeholders. Such activities should also be reflective, allowing rotation of team roles, and extending over a longer time horizon.
Originality/value
This study is an attempt to empirically examine the role of PO in entrepreneurship project teams. It also contributes to our understanding of the dynamic nature of PO through social interaction and reflection.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support of a research grant of the Nottingham University Ningbo China for successful completion of this research.
Citation
Man, T.W.Y. and Farquharson, M. (2015), "Psychological ownership in team-based entrepreneurship education activities", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 600-621. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-11-2012-0126
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited