In this paper we present data on 407 homeless adults who have just entered theDutch social relief system. We examined their personal goals of homeless adults and the association between their perceived goal related self-efficacy and their quality of life. Based on a hierarchical regression analysis we analyzed the association between quality of life and goal related self-efficacy, relative to factors contributing to quality of life, such as demographic characteristics, socio-economic resources, health and service use. We found that the majority of homeless adults entering the social relief system have personal goals regarding socio-economic resources and their goal related self-efficacy is positively related to quality of life. Based on these findings we argue that it is important to take the personal goals of homeless people as the starting point of integrated service programs and to promote their goal related self-efficacy by strengths-based interventions.
Despite its widespread occurrence, the topic of failure is barely addressed in entrepreneurship education. Consequently, students are given an incomplete and unrealistic picture of the complexity of being entrepreneurs. This study explores the pedagogical potential of introducing vicarious learning about failure in educational programs rather than focusing solely on starting, growing and success. Taking a qualitative approach, this study examined students’ reflective reports written after an interview with an entrepreneur on their experience of failure. Using concepts emerging from these reports and theoretical constructs, it was established whether and how students drew lessons and reflections from the failure stories. The findings show that interviewing and reflecting about the experiences of entrepreneurs allow for vicarious learning from failure, yet without students having to experience it themselves. The lessons learned and the reflections feed each other in a continuous loop. Students recognized that entrepreneurship involves trial and error instead of one straight road. Important lessons include the importance of adaptable behavior, access to key resources, insights in business development and the benefits of networking. Hence, this article contributes to the pedagogy of entrepreneurial education and provides initial suggestions for educators to introduce vicarious learning about failure as a topic in their programs.--Malgré sa fréquence élevée, le sujet de l’échec est à peine abordé dans l’enseignement de l’entrepreneuriat. En conséquence, il est communiqué aux étudiants une image incomplète et irréaliste de la complexité d’être un entrepreneur. Cette étude explore le potentiel pédagogique de l’apprentissage par procuration sur l’échec dans les programmes éducatifs, plutôt qu’une focalisation seulement sur le démarrage, la croissance et la réussite. En adoptant une approche qualitative, l’étude a examiné les rapports de réflexions rédigés par les étudiants à la suite d’un entretien avec un entrepreneur, centré sur son expérience de l’échec. À l’aide de concepts émergeant de ces rapports et de constructions théoriques, la manière dont les étudiants tiraient des leçons et des réflexions des récits d’échec – si tel était le cas - a été établie. Les résultats montrent que les entretiens et la réflexion sur l’expérience des entrepreneurs permettent un apprentissage par procuration concernant l’échec, sans pour autant que les étudiants aient eux-mêmes à vivre un échec. Les leçons apprises et les réflexions se nourrissent mutuellement dans une boucle continue. Les étudiants ont reconnu que l’entrepreneuriat a pour implication des épreuves et des erreurs, plutôt qu’une ligne toute droite. Parmi les leçons apprises majeures, citons l’importance des comportements adaptatifs, l’accès aux ressources-clés, les connaissances en matière de développement commercial et les avantages du travail en réseau. Ainsi, cet article contribue à la pédagogie de l’éducation sur l’entrepreneuriat et fait des suggestions pour les enseignants afin qu’ils introduisent l’apprentissage par procuration sur l’échec en tant que sujet à aborder dans leurs programmes.
In the Netherlands a large number of households is overindebted. Despite the economic prosperity, 20% of the households has to deal with large debts. Dissatisfaction with the position of debtors has grown in recent years. Numerous initiatives are being launched to improve their position. New legislation is provided for and municipalities are starting up all kinds of pilots. There is momentum for improvement. It is important that all initiatives are coordinated. In addition, it is also important to investigate what the legislation and initiatives yield.
