Business Commons^™

Awakening The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Exploring The Relationship Between Organizational Factors And Perceptions Of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy And Desirability In A Corporate Setting, Deborah V. Brazeal, Mark T. Schenkel, Jay A. Azriel

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

While efforts at understanding how the entrepreneurial spirit is awakened (e.g., unwrapping the cognitive “black box”) have been productive in the new venture context, it remains largely unexplored in a corporate setting.This study extends previous research by investigating the relationship between organizational antecedents and perceptions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and desirability of entrepreneurial activity. In a field study of organizations consistent with a corporate entrepreneurial archetype typology, we found that (1) individual work discretion and time availability impacted entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and (2) individual interest in work innovation influenced perceived desirability of innovative behaviors.

Are You An Innovator Or Adaptor? The Impact Of Cognitive Propensity On Venture Expectations And Outcomes, Kevin L. Johnson, Wade M. Danis, Marc J. Dollinger

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

In this study we confirm the often assumed but largely untested belief that entrepreneurs think and behave differently than others. We examine a group of more than 700 nascent entrepreneurs and 400 nonentrepreneurs. We determine the entrepreneurs’ cognitive style propensity for problem solving (Innovator versus Adaptor); we compare their expectations; and, we examine the outcomes (performance and start-up) of their ventures. We find that nascent entrepreneurs are more likely to be overly optimistic Innovators, most people are Adaptors, and one’s cognitive style can indeed play a role in the initial development and outcome for the venture, but not always as …

Utilization Of Problem-Based Learning In An Entrepreneurship Business Planning Course, Joseph R. Bell

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This article demonstrates the implementation and efficacy of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in an undergraduate entrepreneurship business planning course. Throughout the course, ill-structured problems arise that require independent thinking and ongoing problem solving with students taking responsibility for their own learning. The course incorporates the latest classroom technology and how that technology is utilized to deliver self-directed learning. The PBL methodology is then evaluated in light of anonymous student survey results. The objective is to create a framework for future assessment in evaluating PBL in the business planning course.

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Fall 2008

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Growing Pains: Transitioning From An Entrepreneurship To A Professionally Managed Firm, Michele K. Masterfano

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Michele K. Masterfano.

Flamholtz, Eric G. and Yvonne Randle. Growing Pains: Transitioning from an Entrepreneurship to a Professionally Managed Firm. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2007. ISBN 9780787986162

The Green Entrepreneur: How Important Are They To The Growth Of The Eu, Enda Mcgovern

WCBT Faculty Publications

This paper looks at the role of the entrepreneur in the European Union which has now expanded to include 25 nation states with a population of $450 million citizens. How important is the evolution of the Green Entrepreneur to the EU as they make every effort to promote the concept of Entrepreneurship across the various markets. The evidence would suggest that the emphasis by the EU is primarily focused on the development of the entrepreneurial mindset and skills rather than any specific effort to develop the Green or Responsible entrepreneur of the future. A number of green entrepreneurial companies from …

New England Journal Of Entrepreneurship, Spring 2008

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

Some Entrepreneurship Pitfalls, Philip Wolitzer

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

All of us have at some point thought how great it would be to be the boss of our own destiny and build a new business. For some it’s a dream that won’t stop until we try. In the old days, all it would have taken was two months’ rent after we built our leasehold improvements. Oh, how times have changed.

The Influence Of Family Business Size On Management Activities, Styles And Characteristics, Matthew C. Sonfield, Robert N. Lussier

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This is an empirical study of family firm size, as measured by the number of employees, and the relationship of a firm’s size to a variety of management activities, styles, and characteristics. A statistical analysis of data drawn from 159 American family businesses indicates significant differences by size with regard to the number of nonfamily members in top management, use of outside advisors, time spent engaged in strategic management, use of sophisticated methods of financial management, proportion of women family members involved in firm management, and level of conflict between family members. Implications are offered for family firm owner-managers, for …

Entrepreneurship As Social Change, Lori W. Snyder

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Lori Wagner Snyder.

Steyaert, Chris and Daniel Hjorth, eds. Entrepreneurship as Social Change. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006. ISBN 9781847206275

Separated At Birth: An Inquiry On The Conceptual Independence Of The Entrepreneurship And The Leadership Constructs, Richard C. Becherer, Mark Mendenhall, Karen Ford Eickhoff

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and leadership may flow from the same genealogical source and the appearance of separation of the two constructs may be due to differences in the contexts through which the root phenomenon flows. Entrepreneurship and leadership are figuratively different manifestations of the need to create. To better understand the origin of entrepreneurship and leadership, research must first focus on the combinations or hierarchy of traits that are necessary, but perhaps not sufficient, to stimulate the two constructs. Factors that trigger a drive to create or take initiative within the individual in the context of a particular circumstance should be identified, …

Entrepreneurship And Self-Employment: The State-Of-The-Art And Directions For Future Research, Giseung Kim

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

This survey overviews the literature on entrepreneurship and self-employment. The author catalogs the main contributions of this body of research and makes a distinction between issues on which there is now widespread agreement and those for which no consensus has yet emerged. This latter set of issues provides fertile ground for further research.

Integrity And Values: Interview With Dr. Jim Sinegal, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Miles K. Davis, James D. Sinegal

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

In describing his success, Sinegal attributes it to “just good business practices.” And while he was born into a Catholic family and supports Catholic causes, he does not necessarily tie his faith to the way he approaches business. That approach, he says, is based in learning how to do business with integrity and high values from an early mentor. The following interview outlines how Sinegal approaches business and how he works to establish integrity and high values throughout Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Translighting Group, Inc., A Small Town, Family Business, Jeff Lowenthal

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

TransLighting Group, Inc. consists of two companies all centered around the transportation industry. The original company, TransLighting, was started in 1962 by Henry Phillips. Henry was an engineer with Ford Motor Company specializing in braking wiring systems. Over an eight-year period, he designed and patented several wiring and harness systems that are used in cars as of the 2006 model year. Back in the 1950s Henry had the opportunity to learn about and use LED technology. He even came up with a process using this technology to increase brake light visibility (i.e., the third or middle brake light on most …

The Oxford Handbook Of Entrepreneurship, William H. A. Johnson

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by William H. A. Johnson.

Casson, Mark et al., eds. The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN 9780199288984

Entrepreneurship Education, Marguerite R. Faulk

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Book review by Marguerite R. Faulk.

Greene, Patricia G. and Mark P. Rice, eds. Entrepreneurship Education, Cheltenham, UK: Edgar Elgar Publishing, 2007. ISBN 9781845424220

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

From The Editors, Herbert Sherman, Joshua Shuart, Laurence Weinstein

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Screening Criteria On Entrepreneurship Research, Gregory B. Murphy, Robert Hill

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship researchers use various types of screening criteria to select samples for study. In that selecting these criteria is, in effect, choosing a definition or model of entrepreneurship, the consequences are immense and have had a direct impact on the generalizability of research and theory development in our field. The purpose of this study is to help entrepreneurship researchers better understand these consequences and, thereby, improve our understanding of entrepreneurial phenomenon. Four of the most commonly used screening criteria are included in this study: firm age, firm size, firm growth, and innovation. Based on a sample of 368 manufacturing firms, …

Dynamic Leadership: Toolbox For The Value-Based Entrepreneurship, Chun (Grace) Guo, Sinead G. Ruane, Alexandra Galli-Debicella, Phuong Anh Nguyen, Charles C. Manz

WCBT Faculty Publications

Four entrepreneurship models are proposed which lend guidance in the development of a business, from birth to exit, each examining ways to maintain the business founder’s initial vision and to continue to infuse values and ethical decision-making at each stage of development.