Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons^™

Expanding University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems To Under-Represented Communities, Emma O'Brien, Thomas M. Cooney, Per Blenker

Articles

Purpose – Entrepreneurship education has moved from an elitist view focussing on a start-up and picking-the-winners philosophy towards a broader enterprising behaviour approach; recognising entrepreneurship as an activity of relevance for everybody. The purpose of this paper is to extend this development and identify how university entrepreneurial ecosystems can be expanded to support communities that are under-represented in entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach – Based on an integrative literature review (Torraco, 2005), this paper draws together and synthesises literature from the field of entrepreneurship, higher education studies and under-represented communities in an integrated fashion, leading to the development of a new conceptual model. …

The Missing Entrepreneurs 2019 “Ireland”, Thomas M. Cooney

Reports

This country profile benchmarks self-employment and entrepreneurship data for women, youth, seniors and immigrants in Ireland against the European Union average. It also highlights current inclusive entrepreneurship policy issues and recent policy developments.

Applying The Practice–Based Method In Teaching Entrepreneurship: The Case Of The Msc In Business & Entrepreneurship At Tu Dublin, Anthony Paul Buckley

Articles

‘Since we live in an age of innovation, a practical education must prepare a [wo]man for work that does not yet exist and cannot yet be clearly defined’ - Peter Drucker Following reviews of the relevant IEET (Innovation, Entrepreneurship Education & Training) literature and after assessing current thinking and practice in the domain, it was concluded that, in the absence of empirical evidence in favour of a particular pedagogical approach, that a portfolio of coordinated practice-based methods is an appropriate approach for developing value-based learning outcomes at this time (2019). These pedagogical approaches focus on students’ attempts to discover, create …

Researching Pure Digital Entrepreneurship – A Multimethod Insider Action Research Approach, Kisito Futonge Nzembayie, Anthony Paul Buckley, Thomas M. Cooney

Articles

Knowledge production in Pure Digital Entrepreneurship (PDE) needs to reflect the non-linear nature of a journey defined by digital artifact and platform creation. Accordingly, this paper proposes and offers practical guidance on the use of Multimethod Insider Action Research (MIAR) as a suitable research design for studying the entrepreneurial journey in this context. It argues for integrating first-person Reflective Practice, second-person Collaborative Inquiry and Design Research for third-person knowledge production that balances rigour and relevance. While calls for such forms of longitudinal process inquiry have largely gone unanswered due to identified challenges, this paper uses a case narrative to illustrate …

Agents Of Change: Using Transformative Learning Theory To Enhance Courses In Business Ethics And Social Entrepreneurship, Christina C. Benson, Gary R. Palin, Thomas M. Cooney, Kathleen Farrell

Articles

How can we catalyze “entrepreneurial thinking” and cultivate a deeper understanding of social responsibility and sustainability in business education? Academic scholars have begun to explore the key characteristics and origins of an “entrepreneurial mindset” through new streams of research in the areas of “entrepreneurial cognition” and “design thinking”. Similarly, modern scholarship on “sustainable business” and “creating shared value” has offered a new sense of direction for research on social responsibility. If only a simple lecture or power point presentation could convey all the real-world complexities involved in actually creating shared value, or in effectively balancing “people, planet and profits.” If …

Liminal Entrepreneuring: The Creative Practices Of Nascent Necessity Entrepreneurs, Lucia Garcia-Lorenzo, Paul Donnelly, Lucia Sell-Trujillo, J. Miguel Imas

Articles

This paper contributes to creative entrepreneurship studies through exploring ‘liminal entrepreneuring’, i.e., the organization-creation entrepreneurial practices and narratives of individuals living in precarious conditions. Drawing on a processual approach to entrepreneurship and Turner’s liminality concept, we study the transition from un(der)employment to entrepreneurship of 50 nascent necessity entrepreneurs (NNEs) in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The paper asks how these agents develop creative entrepreneuring practices in their efforts to overcome their condition of ‘necessity’. The analysis shows how, in their everyday liminal entrepreneuring, NNEs disassemble their identities and social positions, experiment with new relationships and alternative visions of themselves, …

Embedding Ethical And Sustainable Thinking In The Entrepreneurial Mindset, Kathleen Farrell

Level 3

Ethics and sustainable thinking in entrepreneurship are complex and challenging ideas. Recent developments such as deregulation, the market economy drive for profits, lack of trust and new technology aiding and abetting this situation, are calling for the development of frameworks. There is a need to embed ethical values in society. The European Commission is opportune in putting forward ethical and sustainable thinking as an entrepreneurial competence. More research is needed into the ethical problems encountered by entrepreneurs in their organisations

The Roles Of Social Entrepreneurs In Rural Destination Development, Ziene Mottiar, Karla Boluk, Carol Kline

Articles

This paper examines the relevance of social entrepreneurs in our consideration of rural destination development, which represents an important tool for rural revitalization. While many peripheral rural areas face significant challenges in terms of sustaining communities and attracting tourists, it is often social entrepreneurs, as much as traditional entrepreneurs, who are involved in developing new ideas, products and activities, as well as envisioning a future for the area. This study, which is based on cross-case analysis resulting from nine semi-structured interviews carried out in rural areas in Ireland, South Africa and USA, identifies key roles that social entrepreneurs play in …

Understanding How Immigrant Entrepreneurs View Business Opportunity Formation Through Ethnicity, Kingsley C. Njoku, Thomas M. Cooney

Books/Book Chapters

Given that international research is now consistently showing higher rates of entrepreneurial activity from immigrants above native people, research regarding our understanding of how immigrant entrepreneurs view business opportunity formation remains underdeveloped. Based upon a review of the literature, this chapter examines how ethnicity relates to business opportunity formation through constant interactions. It also introduces the Visual Mixed Embeddedness Framework as an empirical lens for understanding the differences in the business opportunity formation process models between immigrant and native entrepreneurs. By explaining how factors and traits from both home and host countries impact upon the immigrant entrepreneurial business activity process, …

University-Based Technology Start-Up Incubators – Evaluating Their Contribution To The Co-Production Of Knowledge, Innovation And Growth. Experience From The Edge, Anthony Paul Buckley, Stephen Davis

Articles

Policy makers in developed economies see merit in supporting the innovative abilities of technology entrepreneurs. It is hoped that from these highly–educated entrepreneur(s), new technology and service–based firms (NTBFs) can emerge. Indeed empirical evidence suggests that it is fast-growing young innovative firms which provide the bulk of new employment growth (Henrekson & Johansson, 2010; Storey & Greene, 2010). Start-up incubators are one of a number of micro-policy interventions with which states attempt – primarily through publically funded higher education Institutions - to support technology entrepreneurs to develop and commercialise their innovations. Incubator numbers have grown globally from their first appearance …

The Contribution Of Higher Education-Based Technology Start-Up Incubators To The Co-Production Of Knowledge, Innovation And Growth: Experiences From The Edge, Anthony Paul Buckley, Stephen Davis

Articles

Start-up incubators are one of a number of micropolicy interventions used by states to support their technology entrepreneurs. Since 2000, the number of incubators in the United States has almost trebled while that in Europe has more than doubled. This article outlines the challenges involved in attempting to evaluate the contribution of the higher education technology start-up incubator process. It advocates theory-based evaluation (TBE) methodology as a possible solution for effective evaluation (and policy learning) in complex research settings such as this, where a study is unable, for myriad reasons, to meet the stringent requirements of experimental research design. TBE …

A Multimodal Discourse Analysis Exploration Of A Crowdfunding Entrepreneurial Pitch., Victoria Doyle, Olivia Freeman, Brendan K. O`Rourke

Conference papers

This paper explores multimodal discourse analysis (Kress and Van Leeuwen, 2001) as a methodology to address the research question: How are environmentally conscious entrepreneurial ventures constituted in online investment crowd-funding pitches and the communications that surround them? While discourse may be realised in many different ways (Kress and Van Leeuwen, 2001 p.5, Bezemer and Jewit, 2010), multimodal discourse analysis focuses on analysing and describing a repertoire of meaning making resources which individuals use in various contexts (visual, gestural, written, actional etc.). Broadband internet and associated technologies mean that these crowdfunding pitches and many other genres tend to be much richer …

Using Insider Action Research In The Study Of Digital Entrepreneurial Processes: A Pragmatic Design Choice?, Kisito Futonge

Conference papers

This paper proposes that insider action research (IAR), with its iterative and emergent form of inquiry, presents a pragmatic design choice for understanding the nature of uncertainty surrounding the digital entrepreneurial process. Since entrepreneurship in the digital context is a highly dynamic and fluid process, IAR appears well-suited for use in researching it. Yet, the paucity of application in entrepreneurship research in general, and less so in the emerging digital space, is rather puzzling. Thus, using a ‘live’ case study in the e-learning domain, this paper contributes by shining light on how this design choice might be set up and …

Profiling The International New Venture -A Literature Review Of The Empirical Evidence, Natasha Evers

The ITB Journal

International New Ventures (INVs) are defined as "business organisations that, from inception, seek to derive significant competitive advantage from the use of resources and the sale of outputs in multiple countries" (McDougall et al., 1994: 470). Globalisation, the dismantling of trade barriers, and the pervasive impact of new technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for young firms to go international early in their life cycle. This is also evidenced by the large number of long established firms that have recently internationalised. In light of these global trends, size of the firm is no longer a key determinant of internationalisation as it …

Understanding How Social Entrepreneurs Fit Into The Tourism Discourse, Ziene Mottiar, Karla Boluk

Books / Book chapters

This chapter discusses how social entrepreneurs fit into the existing tourism discourse. It examines four areas of literature in particular, tourism entrepreneurs, sustainability, destination development and intrapreneurship, and analyzes how introducing the concept of social entrepreneurs into these discussions is useful, and contributes to our understanding. Furthermore the paper illustrates that as social entrepreneurs are relevant to a broad range of issues in the tourism literature this should prevent the development of research silos where social entrepreneurship scholars seek out their own vein of research. The nexus of common ground and interests, as displayed in this chapter, should enhance the …

The Missing Entrepreneurs 2017: Policies For Inclusive Entrepreneurship In Ireland, Thomas M. Cooney

Reports

This profile presents data on self-employment and entrepreneurship by key target groups of inclusive entrepreneurship policies in Ireland such as women, youth and seniors. It also briefly describes recent inclusive entrepreneurship policy actions such as the new measure “Training for Women Returning to the Workforce and Women’s Entrepreneurship."

How Can Higher Education Institutions (Heis) Support The Development Of Entrepreneurial Mindsets In Local Communities?, Emma O'Brien, Thomas M. Cooney

Conference papers

Promoting an entrepreneurial culture through the development of entrepreneurial mindsets has become an important mission on the education and enterprise policy agenda of many governments and supranational organisations. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have responded to this call by developing entrepreneurship / enterprise education pedagogies that now place a greater focus on engendering entrepreneurial competencies within individuals rather than on the creation of new ventures. Such competences are relevant for all aspects of an individual’s life and may assist them in navigating the ever changing, chaotic, global world in which they live. However, some commentators have argued that this development is …

The Importance Of Local Area As A Motivation For Cooperation Among Rural Tourism Entrepreneurs, Ziene Mottiar

Articles

This paper explores the issue of entrepreneurial motivations among rural tourism entrepreneurs in choosing to engage in cooperation. It analyzes literature which deals with the role of entrepreneurs and the development of rural destinations and highlights the fact that the role of entrepreneurs has been understated. Using mixed research methods and studying two rural areas in Ireland it addresses research questions such as why do rural tourism entrepreneurs engage in cooperation? How did this cooperation emerge? And how do they choose who to co-operate with?

The key finding is that while these entrepreneurs are motivated to co-operate as they think …

Examining Best Practice For A Postgraduate Module On Food Entrepreneurship, Kathleen Farrell

Level 3

As a lecturer in entrepreneurship education, the challenge of embedding an entrepreneurship mindset in my students is of great interest to me. The literature bears testimony to the fact that the delivery of entrepreneurship education needs to be improved. A traditional lecturing approach is inadequate and there is a call for more creative teaching and a more experiential learning approach.

A Comparative Analysis Of Inclusive Education Systems In Ireland And Kazakhstan, Saule Aubakirova

Level 3

This article was written based on the results of the author's PhD internship at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, in April 2016. The article provides an initial comparative analysis of inclusive education systems in Ireland and Kazakhstan related to special educational needs (SEN). Data were gathered for the Irish context through literature reviews, document analysis, site visits and interviews. Data for the Kazakhstan context were accumulated from relevant legal documentation, practice literature review and interviews. The aspects of inclusive education selected for comparative analysis in this article include: enabling legislation; types of schools; supports provided; training of teachers.

From Shannon To Dallas: The Final Twenty-One Weeks Of Jfk’S Presidency : Narrative And Reflection, Brian Murphy

Level 3

This article traces the final weeks and days of John F. Kennedy’s presidency from his departure from Shannon Airport on 29 June 1963 to his assassination in Dallas, Texas on 22 November. It argues that this period was among the most action-packed and significant of Kennedy’s presidency as he doggedly pursued a peace strategy. Kennedy had entered office as a convinced Cold Warrior, but the Cuban Missile Crisis had altered his views and persuaded him of the need for peaceful co-existence with the Communist world. In this short twenty-one week period, Kennedy concluded a significant nuclear test ban treaty and …

Measuring Students’ Abilities To Study Academic Subjects Taught In English At Postgraduate Level In The Republic Of Kazakhstan, Artyom Dontsov

Level 3

This article presents the results of research conducted among first-year students enrolled in a two-year, full-time Master's degree programmes at Pavlodar State University, Republic of Kazakhstan. The aim was to evaluate their readiness to study academic subjects taught in English. Based on the analysis of the research results, it was concluded that transition to teaching and learning in English should be carried out in a gradual manner. It is proposed to use Content and Language Integrated Learning as the most appropriate methodology for the identified level.

E-Learning In Higher Education: The Analysis Of The Irish And Kazakhstan Experience, Dariya Abykenova

Level 3

The article describes the results of a PhD research internship at The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). The data were gathered as an element of the author’s doctoral research. A series of interviews was carried out with the Institute’s academic and learning support staff. Based on the interviews the experiences of e-learning in the DIT are analyzed here. The highlights of implementing a virtual learning environment and improving the ICT competencies of academic staff, employee’ and students in the Irish higher education are examined in the article. The data analysis suggests certain differences between the Irish and Kazakhstan elearning systems …

Enhancement Of Student Skills Through Authentic Learning In A Continuously Assessed Module : A Research-In-Progress Report, Vanessa Murphy, Áine Whelan

Level 3

This paper describes the initial findings from a redesigned module in the School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology. An authentic learning environment is provided for the module which allows students to work collaboratively in teams to ensure that critical aspects of industrial quality management systems and validation are fully explored. Module activities support the development of graduate attributes that will assist in preparing students for work as professionals in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The students’ perceptions of their own technical knowledge and skills prior to undertaking the module have been assessed using a survey instrument. …

Cross-Cultural Differences In The Manifestation Of Emotional States And In The Perception Of Emotional Intelligence Among Masters Students In Kazakhstan And Spain, Olga Kolyukh

Level 3

In this research, I have identified similarities and cross-cultural differences of emotions, emotional states and perception of emotional intelligence among Masters students in Kazakhstan and Spain. Research tools used were a standardised psychological colour choice test designed by Luscher and modified by Sobchik, combined with the well-validated Spanish shorter version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS) (Femandez – Berrocal, Extremera, & Ramos, 2004). The research was implemented with a sample of Masters students (N = 100) from Pavlodar State University, Kazakhstan, and from the University of Granada, Spain. Results showed similarities with regard to friendliness, trust in others, discomfort, emotional …

Developing Appropriate Educational Modules Aimed At Industry : An Example From Surveying At Masters Level, Audrey Martin

Level 3

This paper describes the process from inception to completion of developing academic modules appropriate for upgrading survey professionals engaged in the public sector. It focuses on one such module continuing professional development module in ‘Gravity and Height’ for National Mapping, developed by the Dublin Institute of Technology Spatial Information Sciences Group for the National Mapping Agency, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) and staff from similar organisations.

Teacherpreneurs: From Vocation To Innovation, Anthony Paul Buckley, Kisito Futonge

Conference papers

The global market for e-learning is projected to reach $255 billion by 2017 with a compound growth average of 23% since 2012 (GSV Advisors, 2012). The shift towards digital learning has attracted a wave of digital entrepreneurs who are creating e-learning content, learning platforms, educational apps and online marketplaces. Nowhere is this more evident than in the online 'K-12' market (50 per cent share of the global e-learning market). The term K-12 refers to 12 years of formal primary and secondary education from kindergarten (K) or nursery – essentially pre-university level education. The purpose of this paper is to investigate …

Trends In Product Development – The Supermarket Shelf Revisited, Anna Cruickshank

Other resources

In a rapidly changing environment the survival of the food service industry and the food retail markets depend to a large extent on their capacity to develop and market new or radically improved products. The identified product development tends provide insight into the new and novel food products available to facilitate the growing demands of the food industry in Ireland and the ever-changing fashions in food requirements world-wide.

Profile Of Business In The Traditional Design Sectors, Con Kennedy

Reports

This research report illustrates the findings form the “Profile of Business in the Traditional Design Sectors”. This research was commissioned by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland as part of the Year of Irish Design (ID1025) which is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and was under taken on their behalf by Con Kennedy. The aim of this research is to develop an understanding of the size, location and demographic of design practices and business in the Republic of Ireland. For the purpose of this report, the agreed sectors and design sectors to research were: • …

Supporting Sustainability Through Developing A Learning Network Among Traditional Food Producers: Applications Of Action Learning, Paul Coughlan, David Coghlan, Denise O'Leary, Clare Rigg, Doireann Barrett

Articles

Purpose: The chapter describes and reflects upon an EU-funded research initiative, TRADEIT, which has attempted to develop a learning network among European traditional food producers as one way of contributing to the economic sustainability of the ventures, the social sustainability of the food’s regional character, and the environmental sustainability of food production through the use of traditional methods.

Design/methodology/approach: The chapter describes TRADEIT before moving on to an exploration of learning in organizations and networks. It outlines the action learning research methodology developed and implemented to explore the development of a learning network in TRADEIT. A single case history …