Structural change is an evolutionary process that is often cumulative within territories, improving the quality of life and achieving higher development levels. At the same time, smart cities, education and social innovation are essential to promoting sustainable development. This book examines regional and entrepreneurial development as a creative and dynamic concept by considering the role of these dimensions in promoting a virtuous cycle for long-term sustainable development.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.In this book, the authors present a challenge for future research to build a stronger, more complete understanding of entrepreneurial phenomena. They argue that this more complete picture of entrepreneurial phenomena will likely come from scholars who undertake at least some trailblazing projects; from scholars who broaden the range of research questions, the potential outcomes of entrepreneurial action, and the selection and combination of research methods; and from researchers who avoid the endless debates about the margins of the field and its sub-fields or about whether one theoretical or philosophical lens is superior to another. This book offers suggestions for future research through a variety of topics including prosocial action, innovation, family business, sustainability and development, and the financial, social, and psychological costs of failure. It promises to make an important contribution to the development of the field and help academics, organizations, and society make useful contributions to the generation of entrepreneurial research.

The introduction of endogenous growth theory has led to new interest in the role of the entrepreneur as an agent driving technical change at the local regional level. This book examines theoretical and methodological issues surrounding the interface of the entrepreneur in regional growth dynamics on the one hand and on the other presents illuminating case studies. In total the book's contributions amplify understanding of such critical issues as the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship, the entrepreneur's role in transforming knowledge into something economically useful, and knowledge commercialization with both conceptual and empirical contributions. The emergence of endogenous growth theory has unleashed a flurry of new hypotheses and related inquiries that have in turn created an exciting dynamic in the conceptual, theoretical and empirical foundations of the field. A central feature has been the recognition that local initiatives matter in how regions grow and adjust to changes and shocks. Moreover, it is the role of technical change, driven by entrepreneurs, that motivates these initiatives. This volume begins by outlining and explaining the theory and method behind entrepreneurship and development. This is followed by specific case studies of practice and policy. These cases are region specific, offering the reader concrete, empirically based research results. Scholars and students in economics, entrepreneurship and public policy will find this volume a valuable tool in understanding the latest research in regional economic development.

The profound changes that we are experiencing at the political, environmental, economic, social, and cultural levels of our “postmodern” society pose immense challenges to education. In order to empower students to analyze, reflect, and take action for a sustainable world, the learning and educational process must be experienced in the context of citizenship; that is, it must be designed, planned, and implemented having global sustainability as a framework, thus developing societal awareness, values, and principles. Teaching and Learning Practices That Promote Sustainable Development and Active Citizenship is an essential research book that provides comprehensive research on education as a fundamental factor in empowering citizens to understand and act on the multiple risks and challenges to the sustainability of our society and world. Highlighting a range of critical learning strategies such as global and critical education, development education, and transformational education, among others, this book is ideal for academicians, education professionals, researchers, policymakers, and students.

This book examines emerging hypotheses, new methods and theoretic developments in regional economic development. It offers a diverse set of case studies, ranging from a focus on Europe, Central and East Asia and North America.

24 Steps to Success! Disciplined Entrepreneurship will change the way you think about starting a company. Many believe that entrepreneurship cannot be taught, but great entrepreneurs aren’t born with something special – they simply make great products. This book will show you how to create a successful startup through developing an innovative product. It breaks down the necessary processes into an integrated, comprehensive, and proven 24-step framework that any industrious person can learn and apply. You will learn: Why the “F” word – focus – is crucial to a startup’s success Common obstacles that entrepreneurs face – and how to overcome them How to use innovation to stand out in the crowd – it’s not just about technology Whether you’re a first-time or repeat entrepreneur, Disciplined Entrepreneurship gives you the tools you need to improve your odds of making a product people want. Author Bill Aulet is the managing director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship as well as a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. For more please visit http://disciplinedentrepreneurship.com/

This book examines the roles of communities in the general framework of territorial innovation, particularly in the context of less developed regions. With a specific focus on Portugal, it offers conceptual improvements that will be of use to other European regions. The book will appeal to scholars and students of regional governance and politics, from public administration to economics, sociology, geography and political science, as well as to practitioners.

In the last decades, the development of innovative practices has gained considerable interest. New generations of students have grown up in a very different environment from their predecessors, one influenced by information and communications technology (ICT). In a globalized world, ICT is changing the way businesses create and capture value, how and where we work, and how we interact and communicate. Thus, some of the traditional teaching methods are rapidly becoming obsolete and unattractive to the new generation of students. Despite the increase in the development of new teaching approaches in recent years, relevant questions related to learning objectives, suitable methodologies, and impact assessment remain unanswered. Interdisciplinary and Practical Approaches to Managerial Education and Training addresses the best practices, laboratory methods, policies, protocols, and practical approaches to managerial education and training. Covering a wide range of topics such as training programs, teacher education, and online learning, it is ideal for academics, university teachers, researchers, students, public and private institutions, and professionals in managerial training education.

This book provides a basic introduction to Sustainability & Sustainable Developments, integrated with current business models and future business prospects. In 10 chapters, the authors cover a wide array of topics comprehensively, in an accessible style of language that will appeal to the uninitiated. Many eye-catching self-illustrated artworks, coupled with in-depth analyses of numerous case studies, allow the reader to grasp the theoretical concepts with ease. Multiple-choice exercises at the end of every chapter (with answers provided) further aid readers in verifying their own understanding. Sustainability for Beginners hopes to encourage effective learning, improve abstract thinking, and culminate sustainable entrepreneurship among students and innovators.