A Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) as a learning experience  to foster entrepreneurship education

Cristiano Morini; Anibal Tavares Azevedo; Edmundo Inácio Júnior; Edward J. Coyle

doi:10.14211/ibjesb.e2333

Authors

Cristiano Morini professorcristianomorini@gmail.com
Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2868-3280
Anibal Tavares Azevedo atanibal@unicamp.br
Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1678-7795
Edmundo Inácio Júnior inaciojr@unicamp.br
Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0137-0778
Edward J. Coyle ejc@gatech.edu
Georgia Institute of Technology (GeorgiaTech), Atlanta, GA, United States
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7244-0828

DOI:

10.14211/ibjesb.e2333

Keywords:

Entrepreneurship. Community interaction. Sustainable development goals. Multidisciplinary reality.

Abstract

Purpose: we aim is to present a learning approach for students to work on a hands-on project that may be applied to different contexts. This experience relates to an initiative to foster entrepreneurial education embedded in economic sustainability based on the best local practices (highest-ranked municipalities) that we find and analyze to solve complex problems in the business environment. Design/Methodology/Approach: our approach is to collaborate with policymakers at the municipal level via a research-based project approach called Vertically Integrated Project (VIP). In our VIP, students work with instructors in a long-term effort to identify challenges and opportunities by working with the community to analyze problems, develop solutions (with different techniques and approaches), and monitor their implementation. Findings: new learning approaches can engage the students in real-world problem, adding value to their formation and giving back to society the investment they made in the Brazilian public university. Originality: this initiative is in tune with the 4th and the 11th sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN). Practical implications: this study aims to stimulate entrepreneurial education using multidisciplinary and alternative learning approaches. Social implications: this approach can deliver SDG-related impact to local communities by linking research-based teaching with community outreach.

JEL Code: L26, M10, H75, I23

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Author Biographies

Cristiano Morini, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil

holds a degree in International Relations (UnB), Master in Latin American Integration (UFSM) and PhD in Production Engineering (Unimep). Dedication of 24 years to teaching in the area of Administration in higher education institutions. Participated in teaching, research and extension activities in 19 foreign universities. It coordinates a teaching internationalization project (Vertically Integrated Project (VIP), with Georgia Tech and 42 other foreign universities). Brazilian representative at the VIP Consortium for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Undergraduate Education (http://vip-consortium.org/). Areas of expertise: international trade, entrepreneurship and digital business.

Anibal Tavares Azevedo, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil

holds a degree in Applied and Computational Mathematics from the State University of Campinas (1999), a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of Campinas (2002) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the State University of Campinas (2006). Has experience in the production of mathematical and simulation models for Production Engineering and Planning and Programming of Electric System Operation with emphasis on Linear, Non-Linear and Mixed Integer Programming, working mainly on the following topics: manufacturing production planning and control and generation and transmission of electricity, development of mathematical and simulation models for logistics and port operation, location of facilities such as hospitals, telephone exchanges and soy warehouses using the following methods: genetic algorithms, Beam Search, Simulated Annealing, Simulation of systems and representation by rules.

Edmundo Inácio Júnior, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil

holds a degree in Administration from the State University of Maringá (1996), a Master's in Administration - Uem/Uel from the State University of Maringá (2002), a Master's in Informatics from the Federal University of Paraná (2003) and a PhD in Scientific and Technological Policy from the State University de Campinas (2008). He has experience in the area of Administration, with emphasis on Technological Innovation, working mainly on the following topics: entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial behavior, development of science, technology and innovation indicators and their evaluation.

Edward J. Coyle, Georgia Institute of Technology (GeorgiaTech), Atlanta, GA, United States

is the John B. Peatman Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. He is the Founder and Director of the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program, which integrates research and education by embedding large-scale, long-term teams of undergraduates in the research efforts of faculty and their graduate students. He is also the Director of the VIP Consortium, a set of 35 (and growing) universities that have VIP Programs and work together to improve, evaluate, and disseminate it. Dr. Coyle was a co-recipient of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering’s 2005 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education. In 1998, Dr. Coyle was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for his contributions to the theory of nonlinear signal processing. He has received a number of other awards, including the 1997 Chester F. Carlson Award from the American Society for Engineering Education and the 1986 Paper Award from IEEE Signal Processing Society. His current research interests include systemic reform of higher education, signal and information processing, and wireless and sensor networks.

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