Anchoring the 3Cs: A scoping literature review of curiosity, creating value, and connections in entrepreneurial mindset development

Background: Entrepreneurial mindset (EM) integration within engineering education is used as an approach to prepare students for the complexity of global challenges. Purpose: The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) 3Cs framework for EM has been used extensively to guide the integration of EM into engineering education. However, the limited literature supporting its components has presented challenges for both educators and researchers in its application and assessment. Scope/Method: Three scoping reviews were conducted using three databases, with each review corresponding to one of the 3Cs: Curiosity, Creating Value, and Connections. We used detailed search strings for each of the Cs and screened and identified papers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria at both the abstract and full-text levels. The final set of articles were classified using four criteria: Definitions, Frameworks, Instruments, and Theories. Findings: The study's findings are presented as high-level themes for each C. Curiosity emerged as an intrinsic motivation, a behavior, and a utility. Creating Value was characterized as a process leading to a positive outcome; a value-generating force for individuals, organizations, and society; and a spectrum of value types. Lastly, Connections encompassed those made between elements for a specific purpose, those demonstrated through modality (such as verbal, graphical, or experimental), and collaborations between people. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the practitioner-centered 3Cs framework is associated with well-established entrepreneurship theories. With this work, researchers and practitioners can support their 3Cs-based implementations and research studies, which will expand upon the existing scholarship in engineering entrepreneurship.