Teaching entrepreneurship, digitalization, leadership, and gender at the same time - How a new learning approach integrates all four perspectives

Abstract

The developed master course “Digital Entrepreneurship and Leadership” (DBML) is based on three of five established core competencies for high potentials in a digital environment - interpersonal and strategic skills as well as citizenship behaviour. It combines modern teaching methods such as a “Digital Safari” with a distinct gender approach to tap current entrepreneurial gender imbalances. This paper illustrates the overall curriculum structure and different learning methods. Furthermore, the developed four-step learning evaluation process is shown, and evaluation results are discussed. The comprehensive learning design prepares future leaders for entrepreneurial activities in three different ways – whether dealing with startups (source of innovation, partnership), being intrapreneurs in larger corporations, or starting or participating in new ventures. The multi-method teaching approach promotes leadership capabilities and gender balance for the digital transformation.