Developing the Framework of Entrepreneurship Education Ecosystem in Iranian Schools Using Soft System Methodology

This qualitative study aims to develop the framework for the entrepreneurship education ecosystem in Iranian schools. This study developed the ecosystem framework for entrepreneurship teaching in schools using Soft Systems Methodology. The Soft Systems Methodology is employed in a problematic situation that necessitates improvement. In the entrepreneurship education ecosystem of Iranian schools, the educational structure is unfavourable, and the students’ entrepreneurial capacities have not been realized, so soft systems methodology was used to improve these conditions. This study adopted a methodology with seven processes, five of which are carried out in the real (physical) world, and three involve system thinking and the human mental world. The problematic situation of entrepreneurship education in schools was determined using Soft Systems Methodology, and the actors and relationships were designed. The conceptual models corresponding to the main actors were obtained from the interviews with the actors in this field. Finally, by combining models, the integrated model of developing the framework of the entrepreneurship education ecosystem in Iranian schools was obtained. Then, necessary actions to realize this desired model were brought from the perspective of each of the actors. The development of a structure by the Ministry of Education to establish offices of industries and start-ups in schools to involve students in entrepreneurial activities has been accomplished to achieve the desired model. This study has educational, theoretical, and policy benefits for entrepreneurship education in Iran and the world. The supporting elements of entrepreneurship education in Iranian schools and the essential strategies were described. The present study's academic contribution lies in developing the entrepreneurship education ecosystem, examining how its components interact, and identifying the necessary actions for each.