Social innovation hubs : Transforming vocational education for sustainable entrepreneurship and development
Ranjini S. Nadigp20230048@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.inDepartment of Humanities and Social SciencesBITS PilaniPilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India0009-0009-0139-1270View full profile → , *Tanu ShuklaCorresponding authortanus@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.inDepartment of Humanities and Social SciencesBITS PilaniPilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India0009-0005-0848-7583View full profile → , Virendra Singh Nirbannirban@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.inDepartment of Humanities and Social SciencesBITS PilaniPilani Campus, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India0000-0001-5034-765XView full profile →
* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details
- Received:
- 01 Apr 2026
- Published Online:
- 30 Sep 2026
- Article type:
- Research Article
- Language:
- EN
- Article no.:
- JSMS-1702
- Pages:
- 957–966
Abstract
As developing nations grapple with youth unemployment, social inequality, and ecological degradation, vocational education models focused solely on skill acquisition prove inadequate for these complex challenges. This paper presents a theoretical framework for transforming vocational education into a strategic policy instrument for social innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship. Using an interpretivist methodology grounded in critical policy ethnography, the study analyzes policy frameworks and conducts semi-structured interviews with 23 students and 15 faculty members at vocational institutes in Rajasthan. The study proposes reconceptualizing vocational institutions as “social innovation hubs” that generate sustainable entrepreneurship solutions.
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References
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