Research Article
Adapting the Lean Startup Methodology for Vocational-Technical Students: A Case Study of Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-9
Received:
28 October 2025
Accepted:
7 January 2025
Published:
31 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.si.20261401.11
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Abstract: The Lean Startup methodology, with its emphasis on Build-Measure-Learn cycles and minimum viable products (MVPs), has become a cornerstone of modern entrepreneurship education. However, its direct application within vocational-technical universities faces significant challenges, as it was originally designed for resource-abundant, high-tech startup contexts. This study investigates the specific adaptation needs of the Lean Startup approach for vocational-technical students, whose projects are often characterized by service-oriented, community-based, and skill-driven ideas with limited resources. Conducted as a case study at Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University, this research employed an action research approach within an innovation and entrepreneurship course. Data was collected through participant observation, analysis of student project iterations, and in-depth interviews with students and instructors. The findings identify three primary areas of misfit and propose targeted adaptations. First, the traditional customer discovery process was reframed as "community-embedded validation," guiding students to leverage their immediate campus and local communities as accessible testbeds for gathering authentic feedback. Second, the concept of an MVP was expanded beyond digital products to include "service-based MVPs" and "skill-demonstration MVPs," such as offering a prototype service or creating a portfolio of work, which more accurately reflects the students' capabilities and project types. Third, the pedagogical approach to "pivoting" was softened to "directional adjustment," reducing the perceived stigma of failure and encouraging iterative, small-scale changes. The results demonstrate that these adaptations led to higher student engagement, a greater sense of feasibility, and the development of more resilient and market-aware business concepts. This study concludes that for the Lean Startup methodology to be effective in vocational-technical education, it must be contextually tailored. The proposed adaptation framework provides a practical and theoretically informed model for educators seeking to bridge the gap between a seminal entrepreneurial theory and the unique learning needs of their students.
Abstract: The Lean Startup methodology, with its emphasis on Build-Measure-Learn cycles and minimum viable products (MVPs), has become a cornerstone of modern entrepreneurship education. However, its direct application within vocational-technical universities faces significant challenges, as it was originally designed for resource-abundant, high-tech startup...
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