1,721,017 research outputs found
The nature of enterprise in a global economy. Some critical observations from a socio-historical perspective
No full textRelationship building in small firms: the development of a model
No full textThis article investigates relationships between Owner Managers and First Line Managers (supervisors) in small firms. A model comprising four components - competency, role, style and vision - was developed to consider the operating reality of this dyad, and its robustness considered using an embedded case study design (n= 15). The analysis relied upon ‘pattern matching’ in which a set of a priori propositions were examined, and (a) the predicted outcome (based on the model) compared with (b) the observed outcome (based on respondents’ assessment of the relationship). Two types of factor were identified: style and vision were found to be contingent, varying according to the dynamic of the relationship and expectations of those involved, while competency and role were deemed to be core elements without which effective interrelating is unlikely. Finally, the model was revised to include a fifth dimension - an emotional bond comprising trust/mutual respect - which appeared to be a crucial feature of effective relationships
Social entrepreneurship education: policy, core themes and developmental competencies
No full textExamining the policy context for social enterprises in the UK, in this paper, we argue for a comprehensive educational approach to meet the needs of social entrepreneurs and other stakeholders associated with social enterprises. We separate out the requirement of business competence and entrepreneurial capability that will enable the social entrepreneur and his team to assure the sustainability of the enterprise. We propose a framework that incorporates - from an education perspective- a number of specific areas in terms of skills and competences that social enterprises and social entrepreneurs should develop in order to tackle the challenges and needs in the domain of their business activity. We highlight that there are specific competencies to be developed in order for social entrepreneurship to be a terrain of more sustainable, innovative and creative venturing. The research discusses the value of developing a layered understanding of an educational approach for social entrepreneurship, whereby the scales of micro/meso/macro are taken into consideration: the individual experience, the relational community experience and the macro level experience with the field of entrepreneurship
Towards a Greater Awareness and Understanding of Social Entrepreneurship: Developing an Educational Approach and a Research Agenda through a Policy-driven Perspective
No full textLife's chances and choices: a study of entrapment in career decisions with particular reference to Becker's side-bets theory
No full textThis paper explores a phenomenon known as entrapment. Entrapment refers to situations where people become “locked into” decisions through the passage of time as distinct from actively re-investing in failing projects. The present study examines Becker’s so called “side bets” theory which suggests that entrapment results from extraneous investments made during the course of employment. The exploration is conducted via two contrasting case studies of solicitors, one successful, the other unsuccessful. Analysis suggests some support for Becker’s theme. More importantly the study reveals that post hoc rationalization of events plays an important part in sustaining persistence. This insight raises a question. Do people become trapped by events as Becker suggests, or, do they largely imprison themselves
Nascent entrepreneurship and learning
No full textContents: 1. Introduction 2. Setting the Discursive Context: Enterprise Culture Debates in the UK 3. Academic Discourses on Entrepreneurship 4. Nascent Entrepreneurs: Characteristics of Nascent Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Learning 5. Methodological Approach: Social Constructionist Paradigm and Bourdieu’s Relational Methodology 6. Research Design and Methods 7. Case Study I: KBrandArt – A Story of the Venturing Process 8. Case Study II: Setting up R-Games – Rosie’s Venturing Story 9. A Multi-layered Framework of Nascent Entrepreneurship from a Learning Perspective 10. Conclusions and Implications for Research, Policy and Practice References Inde
Gender inequalities in academic innovation and enterprise: a Bourdieuian analysis
No full textThis paper demonstrates that engagement in innovation and enterprise activity in SET departments within three UK universities is, in part, gendered. A Bourdieuian approach is adopted to identify underlying structures and practices that have causal powers to generate gender-based inequalities. Drawing on empirical research with 52 participants, this study reveals gendered science enterprise experiences, characterized by a field that is considered strong in shaping the habitus and presenting stark options to women in pursuit of their careers. It demonstrates the multilayered nature of the fields that shape gendered experiences and resultant inequalities by taking into account individual dispositions of academics and their habitus, including their science enterprise experience and the wider commercial field beyond the university, and generates a number of implications for practice and policy
Knowledge creation its transfer and the role of science enterprise education in prompting this progress
No full textOver the past 15 years, a crucial part of the U.K. Government's agenda has been to develop industrial and innovation policies in support of entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses. They included significant investment in an incubator fund, increased funding for the exploitation of technologies by high tech small firms and the establishment of nation-wide Science Enterprise Centres located within the higher education sector. This paper argues that to a large extent this policy has preceded evidence-based theory. The policy research agenda should focus on all stages of the nascent enterprise development process. Our definition of nascent entrepreneurship takes the business creation process back to the twin notions of an intention and a germ of an idea. A nascent entrepreneur is 'someone who initiates serious activities that are intended to culminate in a viable business start-up' (Aldrych, 1999:77). Research should address what these activities are and how long it takes to progress through the process.The paper suggests that the resource based view (RBV) should be extended to encompass nascent entrepreneurship in science enterprise. Theory should focus on knowledge development within the Nascent Entrepreneurial Unit (NEU) as a necessary resource. Aspects of knowledge acquisition in science enterprise are tacit and embedded in a network of relationships required to support venture development. The policy agenda should thus research the knowledge production process, where knowledge is known to be widely distributed amongst a transdisciplinary group of scientists, practitioners and professionals in investment and business support of NEUs. These impacts on what and how skills are taught in science enterprise. Examples suggest that business founding is based on team starts and this in turn implies that the human capital element may be crucial component on new enterprise. The paper argues that a policy research agenda should not only examine NEUs at different stages in their development, but also examine whether differences arise between sectors. Finally it suggests that there are subtle cultural and situational factors which affect entrepreneurial behaviour, and therefore that an international comparative study would be both a valuable and essential aspect
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