Experiential Learning & Social Entrepreneurship

 Summary of Al Issa et al. (2025)

Background & Existing Knowledge
Entrepreneurial intentions are influenced by various factors including educational approaches. In social entrepreneurship, experiential learning (EL) offers real-world engagement, enhancing self-efficacy and motivation among students.

New Insights from This Study
✔ Experiential learning significantly increases social entrepreneurial intentions among university students.
✔ Self-efficacy mediates the relationship between experiential learning and entrepreneurial intention.
✔ Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and Bandura’s Social Learning Theory are integrated to explain these relationships in a non-Western context (Malaysia).

Practical Applications: How Educators Can Use This Research

Curriculum Innovation
📌 Design entrepreneurship courses around real-world tasks (e.g., business plan development, social projects).
📌 Embed EL activities such as simulations, internships, and community projects.
📌 Integrate critical thinking and sustainability into course content.

Empowering Learners
📌 Use feedback and mentorship to strengthen students’ self-belief.
📌 Recognize diverse learning styles and adjust teaching accordingly.
📌 Emphasize problem-solving and ethical decision-making through EL cycles.

Global Relevance
📌 Tailor entrepreneurship education for emerging economies.
📌 Address gender differences in how EL influences self-efficacy.
📌 Provide scalable models for responsible management education.

Conclusion
This study reinforces experiential learning as a transformative tool in social entrepreneurship education. It bridges theoretical and practical learning, especially in non-Western settings, by fostering ethical, confident, and action-oriented graduates.

Reference
Al Issa, H.-E., Thai, M. T. T., & Saad, S. (2025). Empowering Social Entrepreneurial Intentions Through Experiential Learning and Self-Efficacy. The International Journal of Management Education, 23, 101154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101154

Suggested Citation
Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Experiential Learning & Social Entrepreneurship. Excellent Educator, 2(8), 1.