Mellan hantverk och företagande: En studie av designstudenters upplevda entreprenöriella beredskap : En kvalitativ studie om strategier och osäkerhet kring yrkeslivet i möbelbranschen

Sammanfattning

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how students in furniture design and manufacturing perceive their education’s role in preparing them for a professional life where entrepreneurship is a realistic path. It further aims to identify the tools, uncertainties, and strategies that emerge in the students' descriptions of the transition from education to career. Method: The study employs a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with five students from different year groups at Beckmans College of Design. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis inspired by an analytical process model. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical lens consists of four interconnected perspectives: entrepreneurial opportunity formation (discovery and creation), uncertainty management, resource mobilization (bricolage), and business model logic. Findings: The results show that students feel strongly prepared regarding the creative design process and professional methodology. However, a significant gap exists concerning business readiness. Most respondents express uncertainty regarding pricing, accounting, marketing, and customer acquisition. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a gradual process where employment often serves as a strategic first step to build networks and capital. Furthermore, students identify "bricolage" strategies, such as collective workshops and shared resources, to overcome future resource constraints. Conclusion: The study concludes that while the education provides a strong compass for the design process, it lacks the concrete tools needed to build a sustainable business model. To bridge the gap between education and a professional career, there is a need for earlier and more practical integration of business elements, such as financial planning and market interaction, within the design curriculum.