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Operationalizing Entrepreneurial Life Design through Career Crafting, Job Crafting, and Intrapreneurship: Insights from Higher Education

  • Johannes Kepler Universität Linz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

How individuals shape their professional lives is increasingly defined by uncer-tainty, rapidly shifting work environments, and rising expectations for meaningful and sustainable careers. However, higher education and organizational develop-ment lack approaches to translate these challenges into actionable learning experi-ences. Existing concepts such as career crafting, job crafting, and intrapreneurship offer promising mechanisms for proactive career and work design. Nevertheless, they remain largely disconnected in theory and difficult to operate in practice. This chapter proposes an integrative approach that combines these three mechanisms into a coherent model of Entrepreneurial Life Design (ELD). We introduce a prac-tice-oriented framework that links long-term career navigation, day-to-day work design, and entrepreneurial behavior within and outside organizations. The frame-work is supported by structured design loops that enable learners to explore per-sonal values, redesign daily work practices, collaborate effectively in teams, and experiment with intrapreneurship initiatives. Drawing on insights from higher edu-cation and applied teaching formats, we demonstrate how this model can be im-plemented through experiential learning and reflective development tools. The contribution of this chapter lies in offering a concrete didactic pathway that makes ELD teachable, measurable, and actionable, empowering not only to craft meaning-ful careers but also to contribute to well-being and positive change within and be-yond their organizations.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEntrepreneurial Life Design
Subtitle of host publicationA New Paradigm for Personal and Professional Growth
EditorsBettina Maisch, Stefan Schulte-Holthaus, Karina Zittel, Barbara Wolf
PublisherSpringer Nature Switzerland Cham
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-032-30930-3
ISBN (Print)978-3-032-30929-7
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2026

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