The e-learning cycle and continuous improvement for e-entrepreneurs

The purpose of this paper is to explore the integration of learning, continuous improvement and innovation theories as a basis for enhancing the education of e-entrepreneurs. Conceptual development of emerging interdisciplinary literature is combined with example analysis to develop the Circle of E-learning uniquely augmented by hermeneutics, action research and the creative destruction cycle of innovation using applied examples of e-entrepreneurship. Four R&rsquo;s are discussed in the Circle of E-learning; Review, Revise, Reconstruct, and Reveal. Observations for each of the 4R&rsquo;s are made regarding continuous improvement of the education of e-entrepreneurs. Findings are that the procedural pivot points indicated by the 4R&rsquo;s can be helpful for administrators and educators to improve operations and outcomes in management and professional development situations.<br /

Emotional Intelligence in Engineering Management Education: The Missing Priority

This chapter aims to increase understanding of how engineering students can benefit from integrating emotional intelligence (EI) into engineering curricula at universities. In particular, it explores the nature of EI and argues for the greater use of EI within engineering education, but also considers the challenges of placing an emphasis on EI within this field. The chapter makes recommendations for how EI skills can be incorporated into engineering education and how universities can seize the opportunity to shape the modern engineer and advance the standing of engineering in the future. The chapter's contribution lies in raising awareness not just about the benefits of integrating EI within engineering education, but also on the challenges that an empathetic behaviour entail. The authors argue that university education needs to be able to prepare graduates with engineering fundamentals and also for success and actual on-the-job EI skills

Developing reflection on values as a foundation for a business career

Students can learn to analyse questions of ethics from the philosophical perspectives of duties, consequences and virtues. This includes the development of empathy and moral courage. Our brains respond to the experiences of others using 'empathy neurons'; we are 'hard-wired' for empathy. Developing moral courage can be linked to the development of empathy, drawing on 'ethics of care' theories. Graduates who express empathy for their colleagues and care for themselves are better equipped to act ethically. We show how learning experiences can enable students to develop problem-solving responses as an alternative to 'fight or flight' reactions to ethical problems. We can help students to develop expertise in ethics by providing them with more opportunities to engage rationally and empathically with ethical problems, through active learning experiences followed by critical reflective processes. Discussing moral exemplars in active learning helps to avoid a cynical view that unethical behaviour is normal. Critical reflection encourages students to make more use of their rational and empathic capacities. The theory of cognitive dissonance helps students to become aware of how we tend to seek information that confirms our decisions while avoiding information that would alert us to ethical hazards