Abstract - Quest for Global Competitiveness - Universidad de Puerto ...

and entrepreneurial issues as a key step for their business starting process. Theymention that even when they had their respective field knowledge the absent ofentrepreneurial education was a deficiency recognize by them. Four of five civicleaders point out the great amount of short term entrepreneurial educational programsthat include seminars, individual consulting service for starting a business as well asothers matters like financing options and requirements. However, members of allgroups recognize the limited formal linkages among university, government, private andcivic organization as a barrier for the local entrepreneurial flourish. Three civic leadersand entrepreneurs’ affirm concerning the entrepreneurial education could be a source ofopportunities for entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico. Among the benefits they mentionedare the entrepreneurial education open the mind for new things, help the self-confidenceand provide the tools for innovative thought development. Nevertheless, fourentrepreneurs, two private leaders and three public and civic leaders mentioned theemployee mindset created by the rapid industrialization process with foreign directinvestment as a barrier for the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. Table 3shows quotes on the aforementioned condition expressed by responders.Table 3: Necessity of a Formal Entrepreneurial EducationIntervieweeEntrepreneur (15), pages10-11Quotes“We need to make like in Israel. They took private equity to created an entrepreneurshipcenter…almost like a university of entrepreneurship…I‟m sure if we create that academy, we willget entrepreneurs to create business with 50 or 60 employees each. Then already it‟s moreproductive than the person picking up pennies.”Civic Org Leader (3), page11Private Org. Leader (5),page 16Governmental Org. Leader(10), page 6-8Entrepreneur (15), pages6-12“Thinking in long-term, government and educational institutions should establish collaborativelinkages in a way that could provide formal entrepreneurial education for anyone since primariesgrades….needs to show the importance of entrepreneurship”“In the schools teach us a lot…but it‟s not being taught that you can study to create a businessand you are going to work for yourself…those areas of entrepreneurship are not cultivated. Weshould dedicate more time early in the school process in creating that business culture…it‟splanting the seed.”“To work in the future, we have to educate those that are in the system now…the way ofteaching should engage the imagination and the problem solving. This is extremely importantfor entrepreneurs…thus; education has to be restructured at all levels.”“The most importance factor for entrepreneurship is education. It‟s what gives you theconfidence that you can do it…But the fact is that the education is to be 8 to 5 worker, not anentrepreneur…I think that university should change into an entrepreneurial focus”17