Activity-based start-up simulations in entrepreneurship education at the German universities

Abstract

Only 30% (bga, 2007, p. 8) of all business start-ups are attributed to women. In the area of self-employment gender gaps have a negative effect, both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, universities that want to prepare students for self-employment as part of their curriculum are also confronted with the question of an adequate methodology which helps students to be able to immediately understand and learn entrepreneurial actions. Activity-based course concepts become increasingly important in entrepreneurship education in this context (cf. Ebbers, 2004, p. 26). The DIANA research and development project deals with these aspects. Its aim is to fur-ther develop the teaching/learning method of a “practice firm” into a start-up simula-tion for the tertiary field. At the same time, the development of sensitivity for gender and diversity management in the participants is an important qualification aim. There-fore activity-based simulation seminars in entrepreneurship education were researched by means of internet research and a multi-level investigation method. Based on the results of the investigations as well as on the theoretical concepts of simulation meth-ods and the "doing gender"- approach, it was possible to plan an activity-based and holistic business start-up simulation.