Insatiable demand or academic supply: the intellectual context of entrepreneurship education

Purpose To consider whether the growth in management and entrepreneurship education is driven by (external) demand or (internal) academic supply. Design/methodology/approach Three key elements of the intellectual context of management and entrepreneurship education are considered: the apparent causal relationship between improved management and economic performance; the privilege afforded to management as an agent of change in the context of globalisation; reforms in the public sector which define problems in terms of management rather than resources. Findings There is a lack of clarity as to whether the purpose of entrepreneurship education is about promoting higher levels of activity or better recognising entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value The paper offers an alternative perspective on entrepreneurship education through an examination of its purpose rather than its form and content.