Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Innovation and ...

<strong>Proceedings</strong>
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
<strong>6th</strong> <strong>European</strong> <strong>Conference</strong>
on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship
Robert Gordon University,
Aberdeen
Scotland, UK
15-16 September 2011
Abstract Booklet
Edited by
Dr Hea<strong>the</strong>r Fulford
Centre for Entrepreneurship
Aberdeen Business School
Robert Gordon University
Scotland, UK

Copyright The Authors, 2011. All Rights Reserved.
No reproduction, copy or transmission may be made without written permission from
<strong>the</strong> individual authors.
Papers have been double-blind peer reviewed before final submission to <strong>the</strong>
conference. Initially, paper abstracts were read and selected by <strong>the</strong> conference
panel for submission as possible papers for <strong>the</strong> conference.
Many thanks to <strong>the</strong> reviewers who helped ensure <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> full papers.
These <strong>Conference</strong> Proceeding have been submitted to <strong>the</strong> Thomson ISI for indexing.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r copies <strong>of</strong> this book can be purchased from http://www.academicbookshop.com
ISBN: 978-1-908272-15-7 CD
Published by Academic Publishing Limited
Reading
UK
44-118-972-4148
www.academic-publishing.org

Contents
Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
iii
Page
No.
Preface xvi vii
Biographies <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> Chairs,
Programme Chair, Keynote Speaker
and Mini-track Chairs
xvii xi
Biographies <strong>of</strong> contributing authors xx xii
Strategizing Through Networking in
Interplay With Aspired Positions
Identifying <strong>the</strong> Social and Cultural
Factors that affect Teenager’s
Entrepreneurial Readiness in Iran
Assessing <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> M-Learning
Support in a Higher Education
Context: A Study Approach Based on
Innovation Spreading
Comparing <strong>the</strong> Approaches <strong>of</strong> two UK
Universities to Teaching Business
Enterprise
Conceiving Science Policies’
Contribution to Regional Development:
Evidence From Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands and
Sweden
Formalising Network Development in
Manufacturing SMEs
The Effect <strong>of</strong> TQM and R&D Capability
on Innovation Performance
Social Technology Interaction for
Innovation Generation in a Propelling
Middle East Country: The
Development <strong>of</strong> LINKING Oman
Program
Lise Aaboen, Frida
Lind and Anna
Dubois
Arezou Abasian,
Mostafa Alimiri, and
Amin Salari
Steven Abrantes and
Luis Borges Gouveia
Nigel Adams and
Joan Lockyer
1 1
2 8
3 13
4 24
Antonios Aggelakis 5 33
Merja Airola, Erno
Salmela and Ari
Happonen
5 42
Ali Ekber Akgün et al 6 51
Abeer Al-Mukhaini,
Luiza Sarayeddin
Yaqoob Al-Farsi and
Mohammed Al-
Mughairi
7 61

Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
Social Entrepreneurship in <strong>the</strong> Middle
East With More Emphasis on <strong>the</strong> Gulf
Region
Teaching Entrepreneurship to non
Business Majors: The Case <strong>of</strong> EARTH
University Constructivist Learning
Approach
Strategy for Social Enterprises or
Never Say Never
Teaching methods in entrepreneurship
education: <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> business
students in Iran
From Technological Innovation to
Innovation in Management Practices:
The Case <strong>of</strong> Episkin®
Impact <strong>of</strong> PDDC in Promoting
Entrepreneurship in Pakistan: A Case
Study <strong>of</strong> Dairy Farmers
Necessity versus Opportunity
Immigrant Entrepreneurs: <strong>the</strong> Case <strong>of</strong>
Argentineans in Spain.
A Case Study <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneuring:
Redesigning Technologies for a
Commercially Viable Cancer Detection
Product
Linking Industry-University in
Proximity: The Innovative Outcome <strong>of</strong>
R&D Contracts in SMEs
Dialogic Dissensus Approach – a
Model for Research Based Facilitation
<strong>of</strong> Innovation?
Stimulating / Blocking Factors <strong>of</strong>
Female Entrepreneurship in Rural
Areas <strong>of</strong> Western Romania
iv
Mohammed
Alsahlawi
Irene Alvarado-Van
der Laat and Aloyce
Lekuton
Page
No.
8 68
9 73
Christos Apostolakis 10 84
Zahra Arasti,
Mansoreh Kiani
Falavarjani and
Narges Imanipour
10 92
Claire Auplat 11 98
Farah Naz Baig and
Saima Husain
Fabiola Baltar, Aleix
Gregori and Ignasi
Brunet
Lynne Baxter and
Cathie Wright
Cristina Bayona-
Sáez and Raquel
González-Eransus
Jørgen Bloch-
Poulsen
12 104
13 112
14 121
15 128
15 136
Elena Botezat 16 144

Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
Jungian Archetypes, Social
Entrepreneurs and <strong>the</strong> ‘Big Society’
Ambiguity – A Useful Component <strong>of</strong>
“Fuzziness” in new Product
Development
Workplace Related Determinants on
Innovation Success and
Characteristics
Does Really Innovative Work
Behaviors <strong>of</strong> Emloyees Mediate <strong>the</strong>
Innovative Performance Impacts <strong>of</strong>
Intrapreneurship?
Comparative Analysis <strong>of</strong> two S<strong>of</strong>tware
Companies’ Performances Using <strong>the</strong>
Balanced Scorecard as a Competitive
Intelligence Tool
The Influence <strong>of</strong> Triad Participants on
<strong>the</strong> Competitiveness <strong>of</strong> Regions: <strong>the</strong>
Zlín Region in Europe
The Regional Cluster <strong>of</strong> SME’s in
Romania
The Role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University in <strong>the</strong>
Promotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Culture Under <strong>the</strong> Triple Helix Model
The Steps <strong>of</strong> an Organisational
Routine’s Transformation: The Case <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Employee Driven Innovation
Routine at <strong>the</strong> French National
Railways Company (SNCF)
Beyond Entrepreneurial Education:
The Access to Finance as an Obstacle
to Female Entrepreneurship in
Western Romania
v
Page
No.
Mary Brown 17 151
Eric Brun 18 159
Cagri Bulut, Selin
Gencturk and Duygu
Seckin Halac
Cagri Bulut, Seray
Begum Samur and
Duygu Seckin Halac
Alexandru Capatina
and Dragos Cristea
19 167
20 173
21 183
Jaromír Černý 22 190
Gabriel Croitoru,
Alexandru Badea,
Florin Radu and
Valentin Radu
22 197
Isidro de Pablo et al 23 205
Carine Deslee 24 214
Anca Dodescu, Alina
Badulescu and
Tomina Saveanu
25 225

Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
Sensitive Innovation – How to
Conceptualise Heterogenic and
Intangible Innovation Processes
Innovative Practices and Success <strong>of</strong>
Small Agro-Processing Enterprises in
Ghana
Entrepreneurs and <strong>the</strong> Choice Process
for Business Partners
Location Determining Factors <strong>of</strong> Rural
and Urban Knowledge Intensive
Business Services: Empirical Evidence
The Role <strong>of</strong> Business Opportunity
Prototypes at <strong>the</strong> Recognition and
Decision Stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Process
Exploring <strong>the</strong> Synergy Between Total
Quality Management and Innovation
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Small
Businesses Owners: The Comparative
Experiences <strong>of</strong> Women and Men
An Entrepreneurship Training Program
that works: Ahikaa
Innovation Performance, Innovation
Capacity and Growth in Small
Enterprises: an Enterprise-Level
Analysis
The Role <strong>of</strong> Networks for Small
Technology-Based Firms
Creating an Index <strong>of</strong> Local S<strong>of</strong>tware
Economy Maturity: Driving Innovation
and Productivity
vi
Katia Dupret
Søndergaard
Smile Dzisi and
Faustina Aku Otsyina
Page
No.
26 235
27 242
Scott Erickson 28 250
Cristina Fernandes,
João Ferreira and
Carla Marques
Sílvia Fernandes
Costa, António
Caetano and Susana
Correia Santo
António Fernandes,
Luís Lourenço and
Maria Jose Silva
Sandra Fielden and
Marilyn Davidson
Dennis Foley,
Ngatata Love and
Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Love
28 256
29 269
30 278
31 285
31 292
Helena Forsman 32 299
Mário Franco and
Heiko Haase
Malcolm Fraser,
Jennifer Harrison and
Stephen Kelly
33 309
33 319

Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
What we have Learned About Time in
Corporate Entrepreneurship Research:
Some Growth Recommendations
From a Transition Economy
Entrepreneurship and Enterprise
Development in Middle Belt States <strong>of</strong>
Nigeria
Strategic Management in Public
Enterprise Based on a Corporate
Entrepreneurship Model: The Nigerian
Experience
The role <strong>of</strong> Emotional Intelligence in
<strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial Intention <strong>of</strong>
University Students
Modelling innovations in maternity
care based upon uncertain evidence.
Competitive Advantages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Romanian Entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong>
Foreign Trade Sector
The Models <strong>of</strong> Innovative Behaviour in
Europe and Russia
A new Model <strong>of</strong> Factors That Influence
Innovation Activities – Application to
Basque Country Innovative
Companies
Innovation and Competitive Advantage
in Mexican Firms
Knowledge Management and Open
Innovation in a Bioengineering
Research Case
vii
Bartłomiej Gabryś
and Mariusz Bratnicki
Page
No.
34 327
Cephas Gbande, 34 337
Cephas Gbande and
Helen Elena Jekelle-
Mohammed
Parvaneh Gelard and
Korosh EmamiSaleh
Alan Gillies, Alison
Holbourn, and Karen
Shawhan
Adriana Giurgiu,
Mihai Berinde and
Adrian Negrea
Oleg Golichenko and
Yulia Balycheva
Álvaro Gómez
Vieites, Carlos
Suárez Rey and
Begoña Pereira
Otero
Mario Gómez and
José Carlos
Rodríguez
Manel González-
Piñero et al
35 346
37 353
38 362
39 368
40 378
41 388
42 400
43 408

Paper Title Author(s) Guide
Page
Social and Symbolic Capital in Firm
Clusters: An Empirical Investigation <strong>of</strong>
Relational Resources and Innovation
Capabilities
Innovation and regional economic
development, in Romania – <strong>the</strong>oretical
aspects
Impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Family and Non-Family
Relational Capital on <strong>the</strong> Adoption <strong>of</strong>
Innovation in Canadian Family
Businesses: a Conceptual Model
New Generation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University
Strategy Formulation Processes to
Achieve a Competitive Advantage in
Egypt
Identifying Environmental Influencing
Factors on <strong>the</strong> Growth <strong>of</strong> Research-
Based Spin-Offs in Iran
A Multi-Faceted Approach to
Innovation Capacity Building
Social Entrepreneurship: Setting
Boundaries for a Conceptual
Framework
Building Technological Innovation
Capabilities: Enhancing Technological
Innovation Performance
viii
Susanne Gretzinger
and Susanne Royer
Page
No.
43 417
Corina Grigore 44 426
Izold Guihur and Vivi
K<strong>of</strong>f
45 429
Mahmoud Hassanin 46 436
Seyed Reza Hejazi,
Atefeh Zolfaghari and
Arta Farhoudi
47 446
John Howard 48 457
Xiaoti Hu, Regina
Frank and Laurie
Cohen
Hüseyin İnce et al
Uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> Innovation Process Harri Jalonen and
Annina Lehtonen
Trends in Financial Services Delivery:
Implications for a User-centric Mobile
Banking Business Model
On <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship
education: self-efficacy and shift in
perceptions
Esad Kadušić, Petar
Bojović and Amela
Žgalj
49 466
50 476
51 486
52 493
Alexandros Kakouris 53 504

Volume Two
The role <strong>of</strong> state in innovation to
stimulate entrepreneurship: Emerging
Countries Perspectives
The Fertile Synergy Between Artistic
Experimentation and Scientific
Research
Conceptions and Attitudes towards
Social Entrepreneurship and Social
Enterprises: The Case <strong>of</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn
Greek For-Pr<strong>of</strong>it Companies
Entrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> Dark Triad <strong>of</strong>
Personality: How Narcissism,
Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy
Relate to Entrepreneurial Intention and
Performance
The Hidden Dimensions <strong>of</strong> Cognition in
<strong>the</strong> Production Processes <strong>of</strong> Innovation
Chinese Returnee Entrepreneurs: The
Essential Human Capital for a Chinese
Innovative State
Is Your Open-Innovation Successful?
The Moderating Role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Human and
Organizational Internal Context
Moderating Effects <strong>of</strong> Venture Types on
Motivation and Venture Growth – Some
Lessons From Women Entrepreneurs in
Ghana’s Tourism Industry
China's Talent Policy towards Overseas
Returnee Entrepreneurs: Origin, Trends
and Impact
How Small Enterprises Manage
Resource Scarcity in <strong>the</strong>ir Product
Innovation Processes
ix
Oskar Kayasan 54 511
Eva Kekou 54 519
Panayiotis
Ketikidis and
Panagiotis
Parcharidis
Matthias Kramer
et al
Erwan Lamy and
Noreen O’Shea
Nicholas Laroche
et al
Valentina
Lazzarotti,
Raffaella Manzini,
and Luisa
Pellegrini
Angela Lemaire
and Hong-bumm
Kim
55 524
56 535
57 543
58 550
59 559
59 570
Kai Liu 60 579
Lars L<strong>of</strong>qvist 61 583
Tight time - to be or not to be Creative? Eva Lovén 61 593

Commercialization <strong>of</strong> University
Research: A View from <strong>the</strong> Social
Science and Humanities
The Governance <strong>of</strong> International
Enterprises Under <strong>the</strong> Influence <strong>of</strong>
Innovative Phenomena
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in
Greece: Do Small and Medium
Enterprises Innovate?
Research-Based Spin-Off Creation
Models in Polish Economic Conditions
Service Innovation: A Smaller Firm
Perspective
A Study <strong>of</strong> IT Innovation Adoption and
Entrepreneurship in Malaysia
Climar, S.A.: Entrepreneurship and
“Design-driven Innovation”. A Case
Study in <strong>the</strong> Lighting Business
The Influence <strong>of</strong> Action in International
Markets on Marketing Innovation: Study
<strong>of</strong> Portuguese Firms
How Community Context Impacts <strong>the</strong>
Entrepreneurial Process at
Commercialization Challenged
Universities
Beyond Financial Performance and
Corporate Greening: Mapping out <strong>the</strong>
Research Field <strong>of</strong> Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
Consumer Integration in <strong>the</strong> Innovation
Process and Its Impact on <strong>the</strong> Success
<strong>of</strong> Innovations
x
Manjari
Maheshwari and
Ranjana Bird
Simone Manfredi,
Mirella Battista
and Fabio Nappo
62 599
63 609
Maria Markatou 64 621
Adam
Mazurkiewicz,
Beata Poteralska
and Urszula Wnuk
Edward
McKeever, Sarah
Jack and Danny
Soetanto
Sedigheh
Moghavvemi et al
José Monteiro-
Barata
Jacinta Moreira
and Maria José
Silva
Peter Moroz,
Kevin Hindle and
Robert Anderson
Pablo Munoz and
Dimo Dimov
Ramazan Nacar
and Sitki Gozlu
65 629
66 637
66 646
67 655
68 665
69 673
69 684
70 692

Absorptive Capacity as a Device for
Entrepreneurship : A Primer on Firm-
Level Entrepreneurship and Economic
Performance
The Issues surrounding <strong>the</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurship Education are evident
at all levels <strong>of</strong> Education
Peer Assessment: A Conduit for
Developing Graduate Attributes?
Innovation and Entrepreneurial
Approach: A Sociological Contingency
Explication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Success in Traditional
Sectors
Entrepreneurship Development through
Entrepreneurship Education with
Special Emphasis on <strong>the</strong> Role <strong>of</strong>
Business Incubators: Evidence from <strong>the</strong>
Czech Republic
Entrepreneurship, Institutions and
Economic Development: A
Configuration Approach
Identification and Classification <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurial Competencies Mapped
With Human Personalities
The Organisation <strong>of</strong> Knowledge in High
Technology-Based Firms: Evidence
From <strong>the</strong> Emilia-Romagna Region
Patent Aggregating Companies:
Motives, Activities and a Classification
Entrepreneurs as Agents <strong>of</strong> Change:
Sustainable Innovation in <strong>the</strong> Dutch
Construction Industry
xi
Emeran Nziali 71 700
Breda O’Dwyer
and Clare Rigg
72 712
Judy Pate et al 73 721
Massimiliano
Matteo Pellegrini
Petra Taušl
Procházková and
Michaela Horová
Colin Reddy,
Boris Urban and
Ralph Hamann
Morteza Rezaei-
Zadeh et al
Ugo Rizzo and
Francesco Nicolli
Frauke Rü<strong>the</strong>r,
Nicole Ziegler and
Martin Bader
Henk Schout,
Damon
Hassanpur Golriz
and Saskia
Harkema
74 729
75 737
76 742
77 753
78 762
79 770
80 778

Creating a Collaborative Learning
Space Using Wikis: Interaction in
Enterprise Projects With International
Student Groups
Differentiating Between SMEs and
Large Enterprises in External
Knowledge Linkages
Pedagogical Methods and Models for
Entrepreneurship Education in
Romania: Case study
Strategic Creativity as a Strength in
Microsized Enterprises
Formal R&D Management , Research
Collaboration and R&D Outsourcing in
SMEs
Strategy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Future: Rising Stock
Options Through Innovative
Performance Measurement – is it
Possible?
Using <strong>the</strong> Balanced Scorecard and
Forecasting Tools for Innovation
Strategy Development
Role <strong>of</strong> Intelligence Generation
Activities in Building Legitimacy for
Ideas in <strong>the</strong> Front-end <strong>of</strong> Innovation
Awakening Resilience! An Innovative
Pedagogical Approach: Enculturated
and Domain-Centered Learning
New Perspectives on Open Innovation:
Sources <strong>of</strong> Openness for Innovation in
UK high-tech SMEs
The Role <strong>of</strong> Standardization and
Standards in <strong>the</strong> Context <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurship: Conceptional Model
and Insights from Case Studies
xii
Anne Smith, Keith
Halcro and Peter
Duncan
André Spithoven
and Peter
Teirlinck
Zsuzsanna Szabó
and Liviu Marian
81 787
82 795
82 805
Tiina Tarvainen 83 812
Peter Teirlinck
and André
Spithoven
84 820
Yanka Todorova 85 827
Yanka Todorova,
Dimitar Birov,
Elissaveta
Gourova
Outi Vanharanta
and Jaana
Näsänen
Christopher
Walach
86 832
88 837
89 844
David Weiss 89 853
Simone Wurster
and Knut Blind
90 861

Examination Into <strong>the</strong> Firm Without
Fundamental Technology: A Case
Study <strong>of</strong> Nintendo
Comparative Assessment <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurs’ and Non-Entrepreneurs’
Cognitive Style Index
Positive Leadership, Shared Values and
Key Performance Indicators in <strong>the</strong>
Pursuit <strong>of</strong> High Performance
Much Room to Foster <strong>the</strong> Motivation <strong>of</strong>
Researchers: Evidence from Slovenia
xiii
Kiyohiro
Yamazaki
Mohammad Reza
Zali, Saeed
Rezaei Toroghi,
and Maryam
Mirzaei
Przemyslaw
Zbierowski and
Mariusz Bratnicki
91 874
92 882
93 891
Elizabeta Zirnstein 94 899
PHD 97 907
Research and Technology
Organizations (RTOs) role in Innovation
Systems
Analyzing intellectual property rights:
Current private reward system and
alternative institutional solutions
Toward a Theory <strong>of</strong> Indigenous
Entrepreneurship in Screen Production
Literature Review <strong>of</strong> Business
Incubation
Entrepreneurial Success Model <strong>of</strong>
Services SMEs
Application <strong>of</strong> Structural Equation
Modelling to Assess <strong>the</strong> Impact <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurial Characteristics on
Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions
An Investigation Into Small Business
Activities <strong>of</strong> Croatian Migrants in
Australia
Jaione Agirre
Uranga and
Antonio Gil Ruiz
Maiia
Deutschmann
99 909
99 920
Ella Henry 100 930
Søren Berg
Jørgensen
101 939
Noor Hasni Juhdi 102 946
Saeid Karimi,
Harm Biemans,
Thomas Lans,
Zahra Arasti,
Mohammad
Chizari and Martin
Mulder
Miro Ljubicic,
John Breen and
Santina Bertone
103 954
104 967

A Conceptual Framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Relationship Between Values and Small
and Medium Entrepreneurs’ Export
Intentions
A Framework Relating Innovation
Strategy and Business Growth in Small
to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
A Conceptual Framework <strong>of</strong>
Agribusiness Product Development:
Carrot, Stick or Both?
Paving <strong>the</strong> Path for Innovation: <strong>the</strong> case
<strong>of</strong> Romanian SMEs
Innovation Capital and Firm’s
Performance in Malaysian Public
Companies
Can Innovation be Institutionally-
Driven?- The Case <strong>of</strong> Institutional
Entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> Restructuration <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Mauritian Vegetable Supply Chain.
Technological Competence and
Sustainable Competitive Advantage <strong>of</strong>
Technology-Intensive SMEs - a
Quantitative Approach
Firm Innovation and Role <strong>of</strong> Geography
and Clusters in Bosnia-Herzegovina -
Firm Level Insights
Exploring <strong>the</strong> Role <strong>of</strong> Perceived Media
Needs and Technology Characteristics
in Determining Social Media Adoption:
Conceptual Framework
xiv
Kim Hoe Looi ,
and Yusniza
Kamarulzaman
Roopa Nagaraju
and.Elly Philpott
Sophie Payne-
Gifford
Irina Purcarea and
Marieta Olaru
Azlina Rahim,
Ruhaya Atan and
Amrizah
Kamaluddin
Brinda
Ramasawmy and
Fatiha Fort
Birgit Stelzer and
Leo Brecht
Amira Vejzagic-
Ramhorst,
Panayiotis
Ketikidis and
Robert Huggins
Izzal Asnira
Zolkepli and
Yusniza
Kamarulzaman
105 975
106 984
107 997
107 1006
108 1013
109 1020
110 1029
112 1040
112 1048
Work in Progress 115 1057
How narrative structures
entrepreneurial discovery
Adam Bock and
Gajendran
Kandasamy
117 1059

Fostering Innovation in Product Design
through Business Incubators in <strong>the</strong> Arab
World
Importance <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial Activity
for Entrepreneurial Orientation
How to Support Innovation Process <strong>of</strong>
SMEs in Metals Industry and
Mechanical Engineering
Innovative e-Tool for Construction
SMEs: Enabling Collaborative
Restoration <strong>of</strong> Old Buildings
xv
Emhamad Hamad
and Leslie Arthur
Torsten Fiegler
and Michael
Schefczyk
Anneli Manninen,
Jukka Laitinen
and Tarja Meristö
Mikel Sorli,
Alberto Armijo and
Alfredo Soeiro
117 1064
118 1069
119 1073
120 1077
Non Academic Paper 123 1083
125 1085
Innovation Processes for SMEs: Moving
from Serendipity to Strategy
Leslie Martinich
and Mila Božič
Abstracts with Posters 127 n/a
Entrepreneurship and Regional
Development: A Literature Review
Innovation in <strong>the</strong> International Value
Chain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Aes<strong>the</strong>tic
Industry: Case Studies <strong>of</strong> Spanish and
Puerto Rican SMEs
Ways and Sources <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Development
<strong>of</strong> Social Entrepreneurship in Russia
Identifying Eco-Innovators; A Value
Based Approach to Explain why
Consumers Adopt new Ecological
Products
Entrepreneurial Attitude Among
Doctoral Students; An Empirical Study
Sabine Müller 129 n/a
Karen Orengo
Serra and Nora
Picón Garcia
130
n/a
Rouslan Pavlov 131 n/a
Katja Soyez and
Sebastian
Gurtner,
Marion
Titgemeyer and
Gerold Holtkamp,
Presentation Only 135 n/a
Innovation Driver Retail Bernd Hallier 137 n/a
132
133
n/a
n/a

Preface
These proceedings represent <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> contributors to <strong>the</strong> sixth <strong>European</strong>
<strong>Conference</strong> on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ECIE 2011), hosted this year by
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. The <strong>Conference</strong> Chair is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor
Alistair Anderson, and <strong>the</strong> Programme Chair is Dr Hea<strong>the</strong>r Fulford, both from <strong>the</strong>
Centre for Entrepreneurship, Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon
University.
The opening keynote is given by Alistair Anderson. The second day will be
opened with a keynote from Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Cam Donaldson, Glasgow Caledonian
University, Scotland, UK. Cam will address <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> Social Enterprise.
ECIE has grown and continues to evolve. Now in its sixth year <strong>the</strong> key aim
remains <strong>the</strong> opportunity for participants to share ideas and meet <strong>the</strong> people who
hold <strong>the</strong>m. The scope <strong>of</strong> papers will ensure an interesting two days. The subjects
covered by <strong>the</strong> papers illustrate <strong>the</strong> wide range <strong>of</strong> topics that fall into this important
and growing area <strong>of</strong> research.
With an initial submission <strong>of</strong> 309 abstracts, after <strong>the</strong> double blind, peer review
process <strong>the</strong>re are 105 academic papers, 16 PhD papers and 6 work-in-progress
papers published in <strong>the</strong>se <strong>Conference</strong> <strong>Proceedings</strong>. These papers represent
research from Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada,
Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana,
Greece, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria,
Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi
Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands,
Turkey, UK and USA.
I hope that you enjoy <strong>the</strong> conference.
Hea<strong>the</strong>r Fulford
Programme Chair
September 2011
xvi

Biographies <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> Chairs, Programme Chairs and
Keynote Speakers
<strong>Conference</strong> Chair and Keynote Speaker
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Alistair Anderson as Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Charles P.
Skene Centre for Entrepreneurship, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Anderson’s
main role is to develop <strong>the</strong>ir research activities. He is also
involved as research coordinator for <strong>the</strong> Business and
Management group <strong>of</strong> Aberdeen Business School. In addition
to his own and <strong>the</strong> Centre’s research, he enjoys supervising a
number <strong>of</strong> PhDs. Dr Anderson also teaches on some <strong>of</strong>
RGU’s entrepreneurship and research methods courses. In
addition to his role at <strong>the</strong> Centre, he has a number external duties including;
membership <strong>of</strong> several journal Editorial Boards; external examining and doctoral
supervision; reviewing and validations.
Programme Chair
Dr Hea<strong>the</strong>r Fulford is Reader in Entrepreneurship and Academic Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Centre for Entrepreneurship at Aberdeen Business School,
The Robert Gordon University, Scotland. Her research
interests include social enterprise start-up and governance
and social entrepreneurship education. She is currently
working on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in a leading
social enterprise, and supervising a number <strong>of</strong> doctoral
students in aspects <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurship. Her lecturing
commitments included postgraduate and undergraduate
modules on new venture creation.
Keynote Speakers
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Cam Donaldson holds <strong>the</strong> Yunus Chair in Social Business & Health at
Glasgow Caledonian University. From 2002-2009, he held <strong>the</strong> Health Foundation
Chair in Health Economics at Newcastle University, where
he was founding Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Health & Society
and pr<strong>of</strong>essor in <strong>the</strong> Newcastle University Business School.
He held <strong>the</strong> Svare Chair in Health Economics at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Calgary from 1998-2002, having first become a
pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> health economics in 1996 whilst at <strong>the</strong> Health
Economics Research Unit at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Aberdeen.
Over <strong>the</strong> past 25 years, Cam has published over 190 peerreviewed
articles in economics, medical, health policy and health management
journals and has co-authored or edited several books on various aspects <strong>of</strong> health
economics and public service delivery.
xvii

Mini Track Chairs
Dr Claire Auplat researcher in innovation, eco-entrepreneurship and
environmental strategies, has worked on <strong>the</strong> co-industrial
and institutional emergence <strong>of</strong> nanotechnologies for <strong>the</strong> last
decade, firstly at Rice University (US), <strong>the</strong>n at Sciences Po’s
chair <strong>of</strong> sustainable development (France) and at Imperial
College business school (UK), and now at Advancia School
<strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship (France). Claire is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
French Research Council (ANR) specialist committee on
eco-innovation (ECOTECH). Her areas <strong>of</strong> interest cover
public policy and entrepreneurial dynamics, innovation and sustainable
development. She has published widely in <strong>the</strong>se areas and is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
editorial board <strong>of</strong> Society and Business Review, International Journal <strong>of</strong>
Entrepreneurship and Small Business and Scandinavian Journal <strong>of</strong> Management.
Dr Sandra Fielden is a Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology in <strong>the</strong>
Manchester Business School at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong>
Manchester. She has been editor <strong>of</strong> Gender in Management:
An International Journal over <strong>the</strong> last 10 years, and received
an Outstanding Service in 2010. For <strong>the</strong> last 4 years Sandra
has been co-chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‘Gender and Management’ track at
<strong>the</strong> British Academy <strong>of</strong> Management and <strong>European</strong>
Academy <strong>of</strong> Management and a founder member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
‘Gender in Management’ special interest group. She is coeditor
<strong>of</strong> ‘International Research Handbook <strong>of</strong> Successful Women Entrepreneurs’
and ‘International Handbook <strong>of</strong> Women and Small Business Entrepreneurship.
Dr Helena Forsman is working as a Senior Lecturer in Management
(Entrepreneurship and Innovation) at <strong>the</strong> Business School <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong>
Winchester. At <strong>the</strong> moment she has two ongoing research
projects: “Networking as an Accelerator <strong>of</strong> Innovations in
Small Enterprises” and “The Relationship between Growth
and Innovation in SMEs”. In this capacity, Helena is
collaborating with several <strong>European</strong> research organizations.
In addition, she is running her own consulting business. In
recent years Helena has been a productive author <strong>of</strong>
academic publications in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> innovation development
in SMEs. She has published articles also on entrepreneurial learning with a
special interest on how to link innovation efforts <strong>of</strong> SMEs to serve as learning
challenges <strong>of</strong> university students.
xviii

John Howard is a qualified Nurse and is a senior lecturer and
course leader for <strong>the</strong> MSc by eLearning in Health Informatics at
<strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Central Lancashire. John's research interests
have developed from an initial focus on training needs analysis
to include maturity modelling, open systems data models and
<strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> individual competency in <strong>the</strong> change process. Lately
he has focused on using <strong>the</strong>se approaches, derived from work
in change management within <strong>the</strong> Health Care domain to Innovation in general
and in <strong>the</strong> setting <strong>of</strong> Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in particular.
Dr Alexandros Kakouris is a part time lecturer in entrepreneurship and
innovation at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns. He holds a Ph.D. in
Physics and a M.Sc. in Adult Education. He has been
involved in entrepreneurship research since 2006, involved
mainly with educational issues. His special interest concerns
fostering <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship and innovation to science
graduates and support <strong>of</strong> youth entrepreneurship through
counselling. He also specialises in nascent entrepreneurship
and virtual business planning.
Dr Ann-Charlotte Teglborg researcher in employee driven innovation is
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> employee driven innovation and intrapreneurship
and <strong>the</strong> Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Intrapreneurship program <strong>of</strong>
Advancia’s Master Degree in Entrepreneurship. She is
presently Administrator <strong>of</strong> Innovacteurs, a French pr<strong>of</strong>essional
association dedicated to participatory innovation and an active
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EDI- network dedicated to <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong>
research on Employee driven innovation and Work place
learning. Her last article has been published in Transfer-Sage.
Dr Marianne Tremaine is a senior lecturer at Massey University,
New Zealand and part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> indigenous Kai Tahu tribe. She
specialises in cross-cultural communication, women and leadership,
equal employment opportunity and managing diversity.
Dr Doan Winkel is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship
at Illinois State University. He received his Ph.D. from <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin – Milwaukee. His research has been
published in <strong>the</strong> New England Journal <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship, <strong>the</strong>
Journal <strong>of</strong> Occupational and Organizational Psychology, and
<strong>the</strong> Journal <strong>of</strong> Vocational Behavior. His current research
interests include <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education,
innovative teaching methods in entrepreneurship, and work-life balance.
xix

Biographies <strong>of</strong> contributing authors (in alphabetical order)
Lise Aaboen has a PhD from Chalmers University <strong>of</strong> Technology, where she
currently holds a post doctoral position. Her research interests include incubators,
NTBFs, early customer relationships, strategy and commercialization <strong>of</strong>
technology and/or design-based ideas. She has published in Technovation, <strong>the</strong>
International Journal <strong>of</strong> Management and Enterprise Development and <strong>the</strong>
International Journal <strong>of</strong> Business Innovation and Research.
Arezou Abasian is studying for a Master <strong>of</strong> Science in Entrepreneurship at
Tehran University, Iran. Her research interests include entrepreneurship
education, social entrepreneurship and especially children’s and teen’s
entrepreneurship. She has published on child entrepreneurship. She established
<strong>the</strong> first Iranian “entrepreneurship and creativity kindergarten”, She has designed
and written s<strong>of</strong>tware and programs for educating teachers and families toge<strong>the</strong>r
with a guide for training kids.
Ayesha Abrar is a doctoral researcher in Entrepreneurship at Essex Business
School, University <strong>of</strong> Essex. She is researching entrepreneurial learning within <strong>the</strong>
context <strong>of</strong> creative industries <strong>of</strong> UK with a gender specific approach.
María-Teresa Aceytuno-Pérez (Ph.D in Economics) is Assistant Lecturer at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Huelva (Spain). Her research is focused on technology transfer from
university to industry and <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> academic spin-<strong>of</strong>fs. She has published
several papers in indexed journals. She is <strong>the</strong> editor <strong>of</strong> Revista de Economía
Mundial, a Spanish scientific journal indexed by SSCI.
Nigel Adams is Programme Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BSc Business Enterprise at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Buckingham. He teaches, advises and mentors students taking <strong>the</strong>
innovative two year honours degree in Business Enterprise, during which <strong>the</strong>y
start and operate <strong>the</strong>ir own company. Nigel is also is <strong>the</strong> Managing Director <strong>of</strong>
Nigel Adams & Company Ltd.
Antonios Aggelakis is a PhD candidate in science, technology and innovation
policy, at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Crete (MSc University <strong>of</strong> York, UK; BA University <strong>of</strong>
Crete, Greece). He is also currently a researcher at <strong>the</strong> Center for Technology
Transfer & Development, University <strong>of</strong> Crete. His research interests include
science and technology policies, technology transfer, economic geography.
Jaione Agirre Uranga has worked as a researcher in TEKNIKER technology
centre since October 2005 in <strong>the</strong> Innovation Management Area. She has focused
on business collaboration and knowledge management projects. Moreover,
Jaione has finished her PhD <strong>the</strong>sis research and is waiting to present it.
xx

Abeer Al-Mukhaini holds a BS Honors degree from Caledonian College
(computer engineering). She is currently studying for an MBA at Hull University.
She served as country program manager on <strong>the</strong> Women in Technology program,
demonstrating <strong>the</strong> exceptional leadership and management skills one observes in
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals at middle and senior executive levels. Se won <strong>the</strong> Best Executive
Award (2009) at <strong>the</strong> Women in Business conference. She works in The Research
Council Innovation Office, as executive assistant.
Mohammed Alsahlawi is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Economics & Ex-Dean at King Fahd
University <strong>of</strong> Petroleum and Minerals. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Wisconsin. He was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Advisory Board, Saudi Arabian
Supreme Economic Council and Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Human Resources Development
Fund. He serves on international journals editorial boards and his publications
have appeared in energy economics journals.
Irene Alvarado Van der Laat has a Ph.D in Economical and Entrepreneurial
Sciences and coordinates EARTH University’s Entrepreneurial Program, and has
several published articles. She’s received <strong>the</strong> best investigation prize at <strong>the</strong> VII
International Entrepreneur Congress (El Salvador, 2004) and is <strong>the</strong> Highly
Commended Award Winner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Literati Network Awards for Excellence (2011).
Mohd Hasril Amiruddin is a lecturer in Technical Education (Mechanical) at <strong>the</strong>
Universiti Tun Hussein On Malaysia (UTHM), Johor, Malaysia. He is presently
fur<strong>the</strong>ring his studies in a PhD <strong>of</strong> Technical and Vocational Education at <strong>the</strong>
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He obtained his Masters <strong>of</strong> Education in
Education Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Christos Apostolakis has a MA in Business Administration from Bournemouth
University, an MA in Public Admin & Public Policy from University <strong>of</strong> York and a
Ph.D. from De Montfort University – Leicester all in UK. He currently works as
lecturer in Strategy at Bournemouth University Business School whilst being one
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school’s Business and Management Programme Coordinators. His current
research interests revolve around strategy and social entrepreneurship.
Zahra Arasti has a PhD. in management (subject: women's entrepreneurship in
Iran) from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Toulon, France. She also holds a Master <strong>of</strong> Science in
Industrial Engineering from <strong>the</strong> Institute National Polytechnic <strong>of</strong> Grenoble (INPG),
France and a Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Science in Industrial Engineering from <strong>the</strong> Sharif
University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Iran.
Claire Auplat (PhD) has worked on issues related to innovation for <strong>the</strong> last
decade, firstly at Rice University (US), <strong>the</strong>n at Sciences Po’s chair <strong>of</strong> sustainable
development (France) and at Imperial College business school (UK), and now at
xxi

Advancia School <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship (France). Her areas <strong>of</strong> interest cover public
policy, entrepreneurial dynamics and sustainable development.
Selvamalar Ayadurai holds a Ph.D in Political Science from <strong>the</strong> National
University <strong>of</strong> Malaysia. She is a Consultant Trainer specialized in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong>
Corporate Entrepreneurship. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer with <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong>
Newcastle, Australia and a Senior Lecturer in Malaysia. She is <strong>the</strong> Founding
President <strong>of</strong> an NGO aimed at creating self-sustainable communities through
micro-credit financing.
Fabiola Baltar is a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Economics at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Mar del Plata,
Argentina. She received her PhD in Economic and Business at Rovira i Virgili
University, Spain. Her areas <strong>of</strong> research are: ethnic entrepreneurship, decisionmaking
strategies in SMEs and virtual research methodologies.
Julia Balycheva master, PhD student, is a junior research associate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Central Economics and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics Institute <strong>of</strong> Russian Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences,
Moscow, Russia
Sadegh Baradaran is a student at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Tehran for Technological
Entrepreneurship. He studied Industrial Engineering at <strong>the</strong> Sadjad institute in
Mashhad. His research covers topics <strong>of</strong> Technological Innovation,
Technopreneurship, Entrepreneurial opportunities as well as Problem solving and
systematic innovation. He teaches Entrepreneurship and Creativity methods in
general courses.
Cristina Bayona-Sáez is a Doctor in Business Administration from <strong>the</strong> Public
University <strong>of</strong> Navarre (UPNA), where she has been a pr<strong>of</strong>essor since 1993. Her
research interests have concentrated on <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> innovation, and on firmuniversity
cooperation. Since 2008 she has been <strong>the</strong> Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Knowledge
Transfer Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UPNA.
Sheena Bell, MA, MBA, MSc (Education) is a Senior University Teacher and
Business & Management Undergraduate Programme convenor in <strong>the</strong> University
<strong>of</strong> Glasgow Business School. She teaches Entrepreneurship and Organisational
Behaviour at masters and undergraduate levels, which are her areas <strong>of</strong> research
interest.
Søren Berg Jørgensen Industrial PhD Fellow at Roskilde University in Denmark.
He is doing his PhD in collaboration with Business Link Zealand, which is a
regional organization that provides guidance to entrepreneurs and businesses.
xxii

Dimitar Birov is an Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics and
Informatics <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>ia University, Bulgaria. He has experience as research fellow,
lecturer, and project manager at S<strong>of</strong>ia University, University <strong>of</strong> Orleans and
University College <strong>of</strong> Dublin. His industrial experience includes s<strong>of</strong>tware
developer, s<strong>of</strong>tware architect and consultant. His primary research interests are in
s<strong>of</strong>tware engineering and s<strong>of</strong>tware architecture, programming languages and
knowledge management.
Knut Blind took his doctoral degree in Economics in Freiburg, Germany. Since
1995 he has been leading several research groups at Fraunh<strong>of</strong>er Institutes. In
April 2006 Mr. Blind was appointed Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Innovation Economics at <strong>the</strong>
Berlin University <strong>of</strong> Technology. Since May 2008 he holds also <strong>the</strong> chair <strong>of</strong>
standardisation at <strong>the</strong> Rotterdam School <strong>of</strong> Management.
Jørgen Bloch-Poulsen is a senior external lecturer at Copenhagen University
(<strong>the</strong> Masters Programme in Conflict Mediation) and Roskilde University, Denmark
(<strong>the</strong> Masters Programme in Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Communication). He holds a MA
Research (mag.art.) in History <strong>of</strong> ideas/Philosophy. He is an Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor
in Philosophy <strong>of</strong> Science at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Roskilde since 1972. He has been an
Action Researcher and Organizational Consultant since 1986 and is a Partner in
Dialog.
Adam Bock is Lecturer <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh
Business School. His research has focused on business models and
organisational change at innovative entrepreneurial firms. Publications include
“The business model in practice and its implications for entrepreneurship
research” (ET&P 2011)and "Inventing Entrepreneurs" (Prentice Hall 2008).
Elena Botezat is Prodean at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economic Science, University <strong>of</strong>
Oradea, Romania and School Director in <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial project
”Entrepreneurship and Equal Opportunities. An inter-regional model for women
entrepreneurial school”. Her activities include research on social entrepreneurship
education, counseling, tutoring, usage <strong>of</strong> virtual learning environments,
coordinating projects financed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> Commission.
Mary Brown is a Lecturer in Management and Organizational Behaviour at
Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University. Her PhD (2007) was about
cultural change in churches through <strong>the</strong> lens <strong>of</strong> Jungian type <strong>the</strong>ory. She is a
qualified user <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Myers Briggs Type Indicator and is currently investigating <strong>the</strong>
contribution <strong>of</strong> Jungian archetypes to organizational behaviour study.
Eric Brun, PhD is an Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Stavanger (UiS),
Norway. He holds a Masters Degree in Medical Technology and a PhD in
xxiii

Innovation Management, both from NTNU - <strong>the</strong> Norwegian University <strong>of</strong> Science
and Technology. Prior to joining UiS, he worked within product development in
<strong>the</strong> medical device industry.
Cagri Bulut, PhD is Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Business Administration and Vice
Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics and Administrative Sciences, Yasar University,
Izmir, Turkey.
Alexandru Capatina, PhD is Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> “Dunarea de Jos” University <strong>of</strong>
Galati, Romania, and a Postdoctoral fellow <strong>of</strong> “Al. I. Cuza” University <strong>of</strong> Iasi,
Romania. His researcj interests are Customer Relationship Management, Cultural
Intelligence, Business Simulations and Management Information Systems. He is
author & co-author <strong>of</strong> six books, more than 60 articles published in journals and
<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> conferences. He has participated at different international
conferences focused on business management and marketing in France, Poland,
Turkey, Croatia, Tunisia, Algeria, Brazil and Mexico.
Jaromír Černý is a lecturer in <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Management and Economy at
Tomas Bata University in Zlin. He studied at Žilina University/Slovak Republic and
Lodz Polytechnics/Poland. He graduated his doctoral studies on <strong>the</strong> topic <strong>of</strong>
Produce Optimalization, Transportation and Sale <strong>of</strong> goods, where he focused on
value flow optimalization in manufacturing systems supply chains.
Laurie Cohen is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Organisation Studies at <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Business and
Economics, Loughborough University.
Isidro De Pablo López (Madrid-Spain, 1952) MBA State University <strong>of</strong> New York,
and a PhD in Business Administration by <strong>the</strong> Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(Spain). Now he is Full Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in Business Organization at UAM, where he is
currently in charge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Center for Entrepreneurial Initiatives (CIADE).
Carine Deslee from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Lille has been studying Participative
Innovation in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SNCF company during her PhD under <strong>the</strong>
direction <strong>of</strong> Pr Desreumaux. Her o<strong>the</strong>r research interests are concerning
innovation, strategic changes, routines, organizational learning and <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong>
managers in various contexts such as distribution.
Maiia Deutschmann studied Organizational Management at <strong>the</strong> Economy and
Law Institute in Kiev, Ukraine and International Business Administration at Europe
University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. Since 2008 she has been a
scienfitic and teaching assistant at <strong>the</strong> chair <strong>of</strong> International Management, Europe
University Viadrina.
xxiv

Anca Dodescu, Ph.D is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>European</strong> Economics and Regional
Economics, Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics, University <strong>of</strong> Oradea, Romania.
Monnet <strong>European</strong> Module “<strong>European</strong> Economic Integration”, and Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Project “Entrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> Equality <strong>of</strong> Chances. An Inter-regional Model <strong>of</strong>
Women School <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship.
Katia Dupret Søndergaard MA/PhD is Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in Organisational
Psychology, Aarhus University, Campus Copenhagen, Denmark She does
ethnographic research in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> employee driven innovation and intangible
innovation processes in <strong>the</strong> public sector. Her research interests also lie within
pr<strong>of</strong>essional identities, pr<strong>of</strong>essional engagements and disengagements with
technologies, mental health and health promotion.
Smile Dzisi (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Business and
Management Studies at K<strong>of</strong>oridua Polytechnic. Her research and teaching
interests are in Entrepreneurship and Organizational Behaviour. She has
published in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> female and indigenous entrepreneurship. She is an
organizational development consultant and entrepreneurial enhancement expert.
Scott Erickson is Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Chair <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Marketing/Law
Department in <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Business at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY. He holds a
PhD from Lehigh University and Masters degrees from Thunderbird and SMU. He
has published widely on intellectual property, intellectual capital, and competitive
intelligence.
Cristina Fernandes (MSc in Management) She is a teacher <strong>of</strong> Instituto de
Linguas e Administração de Leiria (ISLA), is a doctoral Student <strong>of</strong> Management
Doctoral Programme <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior (UBI) – Portugal. She
research interest is about KIBS and Regional Competitiveness. She has published
several papers in international journals.
Sílvia Fernandes Costa Phd Candidate in Human Resources Management at
ISCTE-IUL, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal. She completed a Masters
Degree in Social and Organizational Psychology with a dissertation about <strong>the</strong>
recognition <strong>of</strong> business opportunities. Her main research interests are studying
entrepreneurship from a cognitive perspective.
João Ferreira (PhD in Management) is Associated Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Strategic
Management and Entrepreneurship at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior (UBI) –
Portugal. He is researcher <strong>of</strong> NECE – Research Unit in Science Business. His
research interests include: strategy, competitiveness and entrepreneurship. He is
Reviewer Board <strong>of</strong> some International Journals. He is also editor <strong>of</strong> several
international journals. He has published in a range <strong>of</strong> international journals.
xxv

Torsten Fiegler works as a research assistent at <strong>the</strong> chair <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship
and innovation at <strong>the</strong> "Technische Universität Dresden". He supports <strong>the</strong> course
“Financing with Venture Capital” and was responsible for different workshops on
Due Diligence and Business Model Generation during <strong>the</strong> semester.
Dennis Foley is <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal descent (Gai-mariagal/Wiradjuri), a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong>
Aboriginal Studies researching/ publishing in <strong>the</strong> fields <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal history,
cultural studies, management/ entrepreneurship and education. He is a Fulbright
and double Endeavour Fellow having researched and lived in Hawaii, New
Zealand and Ireland researching Indigenous enterprise and <strong>the</strong> Irish Pavee.
Mário Franco is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Administration at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Management and Economics, Beira Interior
University, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Management from Beira Interior University
(2002). His research focuses on strategic alliances, business networks,
entrepreneurship and innovation management. He is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NECE-
Research Unit in Business Sciences, Beira Interior University.
Regina Frank is a Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong>
Business and Economics, Loughborough University.
Bartłomiej Gabryś is Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Chair in Entrepreneurship at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Economics in Katowice, Poland. He received his Ph.D. in corporate
entrepreneurship. His present research focuses on corporate entrepreneurship
and growth. His research has been presented at EURAM, Academy <strong>of</strong>
management, Asian Academy <strong>of</strong> Management or published by Wolters/Kluver and
Routledge.
Cephas Gbande from <strong>the</strong> Nasarawa State University, Nigeria. Education:
Received ACIB, 1984; DMS, 1985, DipM 1987, MSc 1990, MA 1991 and PhD
1995 all in UK. Work Experience, HOD Business Administration, Senior Lecturer
since 2006, Corporate Strategy and MIS. He has worked in UK and Nigeria.
Parvaneh Gelard is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and faculty member <strong>of</strong> Management
at <strong>the</strong> Islamic Azad University South Tehran branch. She has a PhD in
management Science. Her <strong>the</strong>sis subject was about women’s Entrepreneurship.
She has many articles published in Journals and International <strong>Conference</strong>s about
entrepreneurship and management. Her current research interests are women’s
Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and management.
Alan Gillies is a Director <strong>of</strong> Informatics at <strong>the</strong> Hope Street Centre in Liverpool.
Formerly Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Information Management at UCLAN in Preston, he holds
honorary academic positions <strong>the</strong>re and in Cluj Romania. Alan uses informatics to
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support <strong>the</strong> Hope Street Centre’s goal <strong>of</strong> improving health and social care by
evidence-based innovation.
Adriana Giurgiu is a Director (National Co-ordinator) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SVACEX Project,
Scientific Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Research Centre on Sustainable Development and
Competitiveness; Jean Monnet Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Module Leader - "EU Sustainable
Development and Competitiveness"; Specialist in International Trade and
<strong>European</strong> Economics at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economic Sciences, University <strong>of</strong> Oradea.
Aleix Gregori is a doctoral candidate in <strong>the</strong> Economics and Business Doctoral
Program at <strong>the</strong> Rovira i Virgili University, Catalonia, Spain. He is interested in <strong>the</strong>
areas <strong>of</strong> Health Economics, Innovation, Theory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Firm, and Entrepreneurship.
He is member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Social and Organizational Analysis Group at Rovira i Virgili
University, directed by Dr. Ignasi Brunet.
Oleg Golichenko is Doctor <strong>of</strong> Economic Sciences, economist and specialist in
field <strong>of</strong> national innovation systems. Currently he is a research associate at <strong>the</strong>
Central Economics and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics Institute <strong>of</strong> Russian Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences,
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Science and Innovation Development at <strong>the</strong> Higher School <strong>of</strong>
Economics; Intellectual Property Economics <strong>of</strong> Moscow Physics and Technique
Institute and Institutional Economy <strong>of</strong> New Russian University, Moscow, Russia.
Álvaro Gómez Vieites is an associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at Novacaixagalicia Business
School – University <strong>of</strong> Vigo. His Ph.D is in Economics and Business
Administration from <strong>the</strong> National University <strong>of</strong> Distance Education (UNED). He
holds a Master in Business Administration from Novacaixagalicia Business
School. He has been a Computer Engineer at UNED and a Telecommunications
Engineer at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Vigo. He is author <strong>of</strong> 25 technical books and several
articles.
Manel González-Piñero has a MBA and Master’s degree in Management
Techniques (UB). Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and English
Studies (UB). Currently, he is <strong>the</strong> Innovation Manager at <strong>the</strong> Biomedical
Engineering Research Centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Technical University <strong>of</strong> Catalonia (UPC) and
Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Political Economy at <strong>the</strong> Business School (UB). He has
long experience in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.
Raquel González Eransus has forged her investigating and pr<strong>of</strong>essional
trajectory in different public and private institutions. Her work and publications
have concentrated on <strong>the</strong> sociology <strong>of</strong> work, labour market policies, lifelong
learning policies, qualifications and socio-pr<strong>of</strong>essional insertion.
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Elissaveta Gourova is Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics and
Informatics <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>ia University, Bulgaria. She has pr<strong>of</strong>essional experience as
research fellow at IPTS in Spain and project manager at S<strong>of</strong>ia University. Her
primary research is cross-disciplinary focused on Knowledge management, ICT
impact, and digital divide. She has more than 60 publications.
Susanne Gretzinger holds a PhD from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Paderborn within <strong>the</strong>
field <strong>of</strong> strategic sourcing. Her research is within <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> "Strategic Marketing"
and "Management <strong>of</strong> organizational Relationships". Special issues are: Strategic
Sourcing, Innovation Management, Organizational Relationships, Networks,
Clusters, <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> Social and Symbolic capital on value creation.
Izold Guihur is pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> management at Université de Moncton, in Canada.
Her curiosity for innovation has guided her experience as engineer, teacher, and
researcher. Her current research interests include <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> rich information,
networks and relational capital in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> innovation, in <strong>the</strong> contexts <strong>of</strong>
small and medium enterprise and <strong>of</strong> family business, especially.
Heiko Haase Full Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management at
Department <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences Jena,
Germany. He studied Industrial Engineering receiving a PhD in Economic
Sciences from Ilmenau University <strong>of</strong> Technology (2003). His Research areas
comprise entrepreneurship, small/medium-sized enterprises, technology transfer
and intellectual property. He Coordinates <strong>the</strong> Center for Innovation and
Entrepreneurship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences Jena.
Duygu Seckin Halac is a PhD Candidate and Research Assistant. Department <strong>of</strong>
Business Administration, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey.
Bernd Hallier gained his MA-degree in Economics from Hamburg University/
Germany. His PhD focused on micro-and macro-effects due to IT at <strong>the</strong>
retail/wholesale level. Today he is Managing Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EHI Retail Institute
and President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> Retail Academy.
Emhamad Hamad HND, BA, MSc. is a PhD student at Nottingham Trent,
University. He was a public sector employee, 1985-2005 and has been a Faculty
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Collage <strong>of</strong> Economics, Omar Al-Mukhtar University since 2005.
He was Coordinator <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics, Al-Qubbah Branch, 2006 and
Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> department <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, Omar Al- Mukhtar University,
2007.
Jennifer Harrison is Department Head Accounting Finance and Quantitative
Methods in <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross Business School at Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross University’s
xxviii

Gold Coast Campus in Australia. Her research interests are focused on two main
areas: strategic entrepreneurship, particularly within ICT firms; and impression
management in <strong>the</strong> financial disclosures <strong>of</strong> listed companies.
Mahmoud Hassanin is a PhD candidate in Tomas Bata University, Zlin, Czech
Republic. He works as an assistant teacher in a private university in Egypt. He is
interested in topics such as: innovation, open innovation, technology
commercialization and knowledge-based-economy.
Seyed Reza Hejazi PhD Entrepreneurship Faculty, 1<strong>6th</strong>, kargare shomali,
Tehran, Iran. He is currently a Member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurship Faculty at Tehran
University. He holds a PhD Degree (nanomaterials) and an MSc Degree
(Metallurgy Engineering) from <strong>the</strong> Sharif University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Tehran. He
obtained his Bachelor <strong>of</strong> Science Degree (Metallurgy Engineering) from <strong>the</strong> Shiraz
University, Iran.
Ella Henry is a Māori woman, Senior Lecturer in <strong>the</strong> Māori Development Faculty
at AUT. Ella will complete her PhD in 2011. She holds an MPhil (Management
Studies) and a BA (Sociology, Māori Studies), from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Auckland.
She has also worked in screen production over <strong>the</strong> last twenty years.
Gerold Holtkamp is a director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> joint technology transfer <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Osnabrueck universities, Germany. His expertise in technology transfer and
entrepreneurship is based on 25 years in industry and universities. His interest is
focused on specially adapted support instruments for scientific entrepreneurs.
Xiaoti Hu. Is a PhD research student at <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Business and Economics,
Loughborough University. Prior to his postgraduate studies at Loughborough he
worked as Project Officer in <strong>the</strong> China Guangcai Programme.
Harri Jalonen is Principal Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Business Administration,
Turku University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences, Finland. He has long-term research
experience dealing with <strong>the</strong> knowledge and innovation management issues in
different organizational contexts.
Noor Hasni Juhdi is a candidate for a DBA degree at <strong>the</strong> Graduate School <strong>of</strong>
Business, UKM, Malaysia. Her research interests are in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship, positive psychology and services management. She received
her BBA from University <strong>of</strong> Miami, Florida in 1990, and Master in Management
from Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Management, UPM, Malaysia in 2006.
Esad Kadušić did his master <strong>the</strong>sis at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Electrical Engineering in
Sarajevo, where he is a Senior Assistant. He is employed at BH Telecom JSC
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Sarajevo as head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> department for planning and development. He has
published over 30 scientific papers. Currently he is focused on his doctoral studies
in electrical engineering and economy.
Saeid Karimi holds a BSc and an MSc in Agricultural Education. After finishing
his MSc studies, he was employed as an instructor at <strong>the</strong> Bu-Ali Sina University.
He started his PhD project at <strong>the</strong> Wageningen University in 2009. The title <strong>of</strong> his
project is: “Evaluation and Improvement <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship Education in Higher
Education in Iran”.
Oskar Kayasan is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Strategy with considerable international
experience and able to communicate effectively as senior academic and
management level. His current research involves <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> global and regional
strategies in emerging countries from globalization phenomenon. Areas <strong>of</strong>
competence include Global Strategy and Strategy Renewal in Emerging Countries
Eva Kekou has a multidisciplinary academic background (art history,literature &
political <strong>the</strong>or).She has presented at international conferences ( re:media live, isea
2011,ecie 2010,subtle technologies,amber conference etc.). Interested in how art,
media & technology intersect and notions <strong>of</strong> media art, public space with a keen
interest in locative media practises and psychogeography. After having lived and
teached in a number <strong>of</strong> countries she is now based in Greece where she is active
in research and works part time as a curator <strong>of</strong> museum exhibitions.
Panayiotis Ketikidis is <strong>the</strong> Vice Principal for Research, Innovation & External
Relations <strong>of</strong> CITY College – An International Faculty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Sheffield,
and <strong>the</strong> Chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Management Committee & Academic Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Doctoral Programme at <strong>the</strong> South East <strong>European</strong> Research Centre (SEERC). He
has over 25 years <strong>of</strong> experience in management, education, research.
Ipek Kocoglu holds a BS degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from <strong>the</strong>
Sabanci University, Turkey. He has a MS degree in Science and Technology
Strategies from <strong>the</strong> Gebze Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology (GIT), Turkey. He is a PhD
student in Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, Management Science GIT, Turkey.
Jukka Laitinen, MSc (Econ.), graduated from <strong>the</strong> Turku School <strong>of</strong> Economics in
2004. Currently, he works as a project researcher in Corporate Foresight Group
CoFi/Laurea University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences. His current research areas include
scenario analysis and innovation management.
Nicolas Laroche is currently completing <strong>the</strong> third year <strong>of</strong> his PhD <strong>the</strong>sis at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Auvergne (Clermont-Ferrand, France), <strong>the</strong> subject <strong>of</strong> which is ‘<strong>the</strong>
role <strong>of</strong> universities in local innovation system’. He has previously completed a
xxx

Master’s in economy (Business Intelligence and Local development).His main
research interests are <strong>the</strong> Economy <strong>of</strong> Innovation, Entrepreneurship and
Innovation, and Business Intelligence.
Valentina Lazzarotti is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology,
Università Carlo Cattaneo, where she teaches Business Economics, Organization
and Management Control Systems. Her Master’s Degree was in Business
Administration, from Bocconi University, and her PhD in Management, from <strong>the</strong>
Politecnico di Milano. Her research interests include R&D performance
measurement and accounting for innovative activities. She has published a
number <strong>of</strong> papers in international journals.
Angela Lemaire is a senior lecturer in entrepreneurship and organisational
behavior at <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Business at Takoradi Polytechnic, Ghana. Her research
interest is in women entrepreneurs, focusing on <strong>the</strong>ir motivations, venture type
preferences, growth indicators and <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> government support required for
<strong>the</strong>ir businesses.
Kai Liu is lecturer in International Business at Northampton Business School, <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Northampton. His research interests include economic sociology,
entrepreneurship and innovation in regional and community context, intercultural
communication, and creative and cultural industries in both UK and China.
Miro Ljubicic is assistant Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Information Communication Technology
Department at Kangan Institute. Miro has expertise is in ICt, including Cisco,
Micros<strong>of</strong>t, A+ and Operating Systems and is currently completing a doctorate at
Victoria University. His research interests are in Management, Entrepreneurship
and Diversity
Joan Lockyer is Principal Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Applied Entrepreneurship at
Coventry University. She leads on <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> IAEs programmes and
teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her primary research interests
are entrepreneurial leadership; change management; social and female
entrepreneurship. She also operates as an independent consultant.
Lars Löfqvist is a PhD student at University <strong>of</strong> Gävle, Sweden, where he does
research and teaches courses in innovation management, new product
development and product design. His research interests include different forms <strong>of</strong>
innovation and design processes and <strong>the</strong>ir context. Lars has a Master’s degree in
Industrial Design Engineering (2006) and a Licentiate degree (2009).
Kim Hoe Looi graduated with an Honours degree in Science majoring in
Statistics and obtained his MBA in Applied Finance & Investments from UKM. He
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is presently a PhD candidate in <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business and Accountancy in
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya researching internationalization <strong>of</strong> Malaysian SMEs.
Elena Lopez Cano has a Degree in Laws and in Politic Science (UB). 1998-2001:
Technician in Promotion in Linguistic and Computers Research Group (UB).2001-
2008: Project Manager <strong>of</strong> research projects in <strong>the</strong> Technology Transfer Office
(UPC). 2008-now: Tech Transfer Legal Consultant in <strong>the</strong> IPR Office (UPC). 2008now:
collaborates as a tutor <strong>of</strong> Law Degree (UOC).
Eva Lovén works as an Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Management
and Engineering (IEI) at Linköping University, Sweden. She has published articles
in journals such as Systems Research and Behavioral Science, <strong>the</strong> International
Journal <strong>of</strong> Innovation Management, <strong>the</strong> International Journal <strong>of</strong> Agile
Manufacturing, and <strong>the</strong> International Journal <strong>of</strong> Industrial Ergonomics.
Manjari Maheshwari is a post doctoral researcher associated with <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong>
Vice President Research at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She
recently completed her PhD in Management from Carleton University in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada. Her research interests include innovation management,
information systems and university research commercialization.
Simone Manfredi is Research Assistant in Business Administration at <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Cassino. His research activity has focused on budget issues, <strong>the</strong>
knowledge economy, international accountability and economic evaluations,
including results emerging from empirical studies and international comparative
perspectives.
Leslie Martinich, Principal Consultant at Competitive Focus, provides education
and consulting services in innovation management. With more than 25 years <strong>of</strong>
experience, she has led teams at IBM, Compaq, Novell, Vignette and several
startup companies. She serves as <strong>the</strong> lead faculty member at <strong>the</strong> Engineering
Leadership Institute at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Texas at Austin.
Carla Susana Marques (PhD in Management) is Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong>
Management at University <strong>of</strong> Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) – Portugal.
She is a research member <strong>of</strong> CETRAD Research Unit - Research Unit in
Multidisciplinary Science (Economic, Business and Sociology). Her research
interests include: Her research interests include innovation, <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong>
change, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in rural areas. She has
published in a range <strong>of</strong> international and national journals.
Adam Mazurkiewicz is <strong>the</strong> Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute for Sustainable Technologies,
National Research Institute in Radom, Poland. He is coordinator and supervisor <strong>of</strong>
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many R&D projects resulting in industrial implementation. He is an expert in <strong>the</strong>
area <strong>of</strong> systems engineering, machine construction and maintenance, materials
engineering and knowledge and technology transfer. He is author and co-author
<strong>of</strong> over 250 publications including 10 monographs.
José M. Monteiro-Barata is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Economics, R&D
Management and Industrial Organization at <strong>the</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Economics and
Management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Technical University <strong>of</strong> Lisbon, (ISEG/UTL). He holds a PhD
in Economics from <strong>the</strong> UTL, is Former Vice-President <strong>of</strong> ISEG/UTL and
Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Graduate and Post-Graduate courses at <strong>the</strong> Portuguese School <strong>of</strong>
Bank Management (APB).
Jacinta Moreira holds a PhD in management from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior,
Covilhã, Portugal. Her research interests are in marketing innovation, marketing <strong>of</strong>
cities, and business innovation. She has published papers and conducted studies
on <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong>mes. She is a marketing pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> Polytechnic Institute <strong>of</strong>
Leiria, Portugal.
Peter Moroz is an Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essor at <strong>the</strong> Paul J. Hill School <strong>of</strong> Business. He
has had an active career in both governments, working as an economic advisor to
cabinet and as an entrepreneur with over three small businesses.
Sabine Müller is presently a doctoral student affiliated with <strong>the</strong> department <strong>of</strong>
Management at <strong>the</strong> Aarhus University in Denmark. She holds a master’s degree
in Business Administration and Economics. Her doctoral research primarily
encompasses entrepreneurship and regional development in rural economies.
Pablo Munoz. is a PhD researcher in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> Innovation and Entrepreneurship
at Newcastle University Business School. He holds a BA in Social
Communication, an MBA from IEDE Business School and an MSc in Innovation,
Creativity and Entrepreneurship from Newcastle University. Previously, he held
<strong>the</strong> post <strong>of</strong> Postgraduate Director, School <strong>of</strong> Communications and Lecturer <strong>of</strong>
Innovation Management, at Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile. He currently
conducts research on sustainability entrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong>
sustainability-oriented innovations.
Ramazan Nacar is currently a PhD candidate on <strong>the</strong> Management Engineering
program at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. He also works as a Research
Assistant at <strong>the</strong> Division <strong>of</strong> Production Management and Marketing, Yalova
University. His previous research interests included consumer behaviour,
technology marketing, marketing <strong>the</strong>ory, innovation and R&D.
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Roopa Nagaraju is a PhD candidate at <strong>the</strong> Business School, University <strong>of</strong>
Bedfordshire, U.K. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from
<strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Bedfordshire, UK. Her area <strong>of</strong> research is Innovation strategy
and business growth in SMEs. She is also working on a project for local
government to find <strong>the</strong> interventions required for <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> innovative SMEs.
David Nixon is a Doctor <strong>of</strong> Management candidate at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Maryland
University College. He received a Master’s <strong>of</strong> Business Administration with a
concentration in Finance from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Baltimore in 2001 and a Bachelor’s
<strong>of</strong> Science in Electrical Engineering from Morgan State University in 1995.
Emeran Nziali is a mature PhD student in entrepreneurship at <strong>the</strong> Pan<strong>the</strong>on-
Sorbonne (Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics), University <strong>of</strong> Paris. His doctoral research
project is concerned with formalisation <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship and its socio-economic
impacts. Previously, he post graduated in macroeconomics and quantitative
analysis, and had consultancy activities with a private agency involved in
telecommunications.
Karen Orengo Serra is pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> International Business at <strong>the</strong> Graduate
School <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, University <strong>of</strong> Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Campus. Her research interests are internationalization <strong>of</strong> SMEs in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong>
economic integration policies, business networks, entrepreneurial strategic
orientations <strong>of</strong> SMEs, and born-global firm’s internationalization.
Breda O’Dwyer is an entrepreneurship/marketing lecturer with <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong>
technology, Trailee. She has studied in Dublin City University, University <strong>of</strong>
Bridgeport, Conneticut, Harvard Business School and an Entrepreneurship fellow
<strong>of</strong> NCGE United Kingdom. Breda has managed <strong>the</strong> Tom Crean Business Centre
and is a leading member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> executive group pioneering entrepreneurship in
<strong>the</strong> region.
Noreen O’Shea is a lecturer and researcher in Entrepreneurship at Advancia
School <strong>of</strong> Management and Entrepreneurship. Her research topics include <strong>the</strong>
role <strong>of</strong> tacit knowledge and intuition in entrepreneurial strategy; coaching and
mentoring practices in and for small firms as well as developments in policymaking,
particularly for women entrepreneurs.
Ruslan Pavlov is a senior researcher at <strong>the</strong> Central Economics and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics
Institute, and post graduated from <strong>the</strong> same institution. His research interests
include <strong>the</strong> diversification <strong>of</strong> business and big cycles and <strong>the</strong> social responsibility
<strong>of</strong> business.
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Sophie Payne-Gifford is a doctoral student at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Reading, in <strong>the</strong>
School <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Policy and Development. She has a Master’s in
Environmental Policy from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Oxford and a Bachelor’s in
Anthropology from Carleton University. Her research interests include innovation
systems, private sector R&D, agricultural research, and environmental policy.
Massimiliano Matteo Pellegrini is a research fellow at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Florence.
He has a PhD in management from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Rome and also studied at <strong>the</strong>
Wharton school and at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Nurnberg. His principal interests are firms’
networking, innovation and inter-organizational advantage.
Nora Picon Garcia is PhD candidate and Teaching Assistant <strong>of</strong> International
Business at <strong>the</strong> Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, University <strong>of</strong> Puerto
Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Her main academic research interests are
Entrepreneurship and Home Based Business, Innovation, Business and Industry
development and orientation.
Irina Purcarea is a teaching assistant at <strong>the</strong> Academy <strong>of</strong> Economic Studies in
Bucharest, Romania. She is currently completing her PhD, <strong>the</strong> topic <strong>of</strong> which is
‘Developing SMEs capacity to innovate with <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> increasing <strong>the</strong>ir
competitiveness’, and has been part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research team <strong>of</strong> several research
projects related to SMEs in Romania.
Azlina Rahim is currently in her final year <strong>of</strong> a full time PhD programme at <strong>the</strong>
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia. Although her PhD research
focuses on innovation capital, her research concern focuses on intellectual capital
and corporate reporting in Malaysia. She has been a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> teaching staff
at <strong>the</strong> university since 1998 and specializes in financial accounting.
Hafiz Rahman holds a Management Degree from Andalas University (1996). He
worked in a West Sumatra Government Provincial Owned Holding Company and
became lecturer-researcher at Andalas University (2001). He won a Scholarship,
German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) to study at <strong>the</strong> Universitaet
Leipzig, (2001–2003). His Masters in Small Business Studies focused on
Entrepreneurship and Institutional Support for SMEs.
Brinda Ramasawmy is researching for a PhD (Sep 2008-Dec 2011) at
International Centre for Higher Education in Agricultural Science, Montpellier
SupAgro, France. Her PhD supervisor is Dr Fatiha FORT and she is examining
<strong>the</strong> adaptation strategies in <strong>the</strong> Mauritian vegetable supply chain in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong>
an institutional change.
xxxv

Colin Reddy is a Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Johannesburg’s Department <strong>of</strong>
Business Management. Prior to this he practised as a researcher on Black
Economic Empowerment. Colin’s recent research efforts and resulting conference
papers have been in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship within <strong>the</strong> African continental
context.
Ugo Rizzo received a <strong>European</strong> PhD (Doctor Europaeus) from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong>
Ferrara in 2010, where he is now a postdoctoral Research Fellow. His research
interests focus on economics <strong>of</strong> innovation; particularly technology transfer from
university to industry, entrepreneurship, <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm and innovation
policy.
José Carlos Rodríguez graduated from <strong>the</strong> Université du Québec à Montréal.
His research interests are in innovation and technology management,
international business and strategy, and system dynamics modelling. He has
published in several journals and conference proceedings on subjects related to
university-industry technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation, as
well as strategy and competitive advantage.
Frauke Rü<strong>the</strong>r is a visiting scholar at <strong>the</strong> Intellectual Property Research Institute
<strong>of</strong> Australia (IPRIA, University <strong>of</strong> Melbourne, Australia) and research associate at
<strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology Management (University <strong>of</strong> St.Gallen, Switzerland).
Her main research interests are <strong>the</strong> external exploitation <strong>of</strong> patents and
technology market intermediaries.
Korosh Emami Saleh, has a master degree in industrial management Korosh is
a Member <strong>of</strong> Islamic Azad University Saveh Branch, Iran. Research interests
include Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship education and management.
Seray Begum Samur is an MBA Student in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Business
Administration, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey.
Anne Smith lectures in entrepreneurship and innovation at Glasgow Caledonian
University. Survival, success and growth <strong>of</strong> firms are <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>of</strong> her
research, which are interests derived from being in <strong>the</strong> third generation <strong>of</strong> her
family business. Anne has successfully published articles in a range <strong>of</strong>
international entrepreneurship journals covering enterprise education, learning
and rural entrepreneurship.
Mikel Sorli, PhD Industrial Engineer, is currently manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Design
Engineering Area in TECNALIA. He is working with industrial companies
promoting <strong>the</strong> use, and integrating, developing and implementing tools in <strong>the</strong>
xxxvi

fields <strong>of</strong> Knowledge Based Engineering, PDM systems and advanced Design
methodologies. He has good expertise on <strong>European</strong> research projects.
Katja Soyez is a research assistant and PhD candidate at <strong>the</strong> Technische
Universität Dresden. Her main areas <strong>of</strong> research are consumer innovation, proenvironmental
consumer behaviour and cross cultural marketing. She teaches
marketing, cross-cultural marketing and marketing research in <strong>the</strong> Master’s
programme.
André Spithoven is a senior researcher at <strong>the</strong> Belgian Science Policy Office and
part time researcher at <strong>the</strong> Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He publishes on R&D data,
technology transfer intermediaries, industry-science relationships, open
innovation, and spatial organisation <strong>of</strong> innovation and has co-edited books on <strong>the</strong>
internationalization <strong>of</strong> R&D, as well as publishing in international refereed journals.
Birgit Stelzer has worked since 2009 as a research assistant at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong>
Technology and Process Management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Ulm in Germany. Her
research interests are <strong>the</strong> strategic technology and innovation management, with
a focus on business processes. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, she works on methods and tools
supporting decision making in technology management.
Tiina Tarvainen is a researcher in leadership and management at <strong>the</strong> University
<strong>of</strong> Eastern Finland. Her special interests concern enterprise vitality,
entrepreneurship, innovation, entrepreneurial personality, and entrepreneurial
trust in future.
Petra Tausl Prochazkova joined <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> West Bohemia in 2006. She is
a coordinator <strong>of</strong> international projects at <strong>the</strong> International Office and since 2008 a
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics, where she has started her PhD study. Her
emerging research is focused on entrepreneurship, start-up entrepreneurs, <strong>the</strong>
business environment and entrepreneurship education.
Peter Teirlinck is a lecturer in ‘Innovation Management’ and ‘Business Research
Methods’ at Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel. He also works for <strong>the</strong> Belgian
Science Policy Office as a policy expert. His current research areas are innovation
management in SMEs and impact assessment <strong>of</strong> public funding for research,
innovation, and technological development.
Marion Titgemeyer is a senior scientific manager and an assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor in
business studies at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Osnabrueck and <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Applied
Sciences Osnabrueck, Germany. She holds a PhD in Economics from <strong>the</strong>
University <strong>of</strong> Osnabrueck. Her research interests include entrepreneurship as well
as taxation and accounting.
xxxvii

Yanka Todorova is an expert with 20 years <strong>of</strong> cross-sector business experience
in innovation strategies management, performance and risk management, audits,
forensic expert litigations, and IPR. She is a guest lecturer at several universities
in Bulgaria. She has a degree in economics, an MSc in Information Sciences, and
has just completed a PhD in Innovation Strategy and Technology
Entrepreneurship.
Outi Vanharanta works as project manager and researcher at Aalto University
School <strong>of</strong> Science in Helsinki Finland. Her research project focuses on different
forms <strong>of</strong> interaction between customer and firm during radical innovation efforts.
Her special interest lies in <strong>the</strong> capitalization <strong>of</strong> customer intelligence <strong>of</strong> which she
is currently conducting her PhD dissertation.
Christopher Walach - Doctoral candidate at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Maryland University
College. His dissertation examines <strong>the</strong> elements that make up a resilient
response to traumatic situations and preparing for and mitigating <strong>the</strong>se
occurrences in advance. He presents a pedagogical method comprised <strong>of</strong>
syn<strong>the</strong>sized resilience literature and narrative commentary to help organizations
prepare for future loss, crisis, or disaster. His research interests include
innovation, resilience, and preparing organizations for future crises and disasters.
David Weiss is a doctoral researcher at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Engineering,
University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge. His current research assesses <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> location on
Open Innovation in SMEs. David holds an MPhil in Innovation, Strategy, and
Organisations from <strong>the</strong> Judge Business School, University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge and a
BSc in Economics from <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Groningen / Chinese University <strong>of</strong> Hong
Kong.
Urszula Wnuk is a researcher at <strong>the</strong> Institute for Sustainable Technologies –
National Research Institute in Radom, Poland working for <strong>the</strong> Innovative
Strategies Team. Participated in <strong>the</strong> realisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sectoral foresight project
and <strong>the</strong> strategic programme in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> mechanisms and structures supporting
innovation commercialisation. Author and co-author <strong>of</strong> several reports and
articles.
Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Wright BSc(Hons) (Durham), MBA (UoE), PGCAP (HWU) is a parttime
teaching fellow specializing in Innovation Management and Business
Venturing. She has 20 years practitioner experience managing economic
development projects at international, national and local level. She has worked
with Scottish Enterprise delivering successful projects promoting e-business to
Scottish SMEs.
xxxviii

Simone Wurster works as a research fellow at <strong>the</strong> chair <strong>of</strong> Innovation Economics
at <strong>the</strong> Technische Universität Berlin. She wrote her PhD <strong>the</strong>sis about Born Global
Standard Establishers at <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Potsdam, Germany and successfully
defended it in November 2010.
Kiyohiro Yamazaki is a Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> Chukyo University. Before joining Chukyo
University, he graduated from <strong>the</strong> Kobe University, and received his Ph.D. from
<strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Management at Kobe University. His research focuses on
Strategic Management and Management <strong>of</strong> Technology.
Mohammad Reza Zali is <strong>the</strong> Faculty member at Faculty <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship,
University <strong>of</strong> Tehran and GEM Iran Director. His research interests include Social
Network around Entrepreneurs, Organizational Behavior and Corporate
Entrepreneurship. He is currently working on Inter firms collaborations, and
supervising a number <strong>of</strong> master students in aspects <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship based on
GEM data.
Przemysław Zbierowski, Ph.D. is a researcher in entrepreneurship and senior
lecturer at University <strong>of</strong> Economics in Katowice, Poland. His research interests
encompass high performance organizations and positive organisational
scholarship. He is <strong>the</strong> national leader <strong>of</strong> Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Poland.
Elizabeta Zirnstein, LLM, is a senior lecturer at Faculty <strong>of</strong> Management,
University <strong>of</strong> Primorska, Slovenia. As one <strong>of</strong> leading experts in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> legal
aspects <strong>of</strong> innovations in Slovenia she is actively involved in several national
research and consultancy projects. She is also a doctoral candidate at Law
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Atefeh Zolfaghari studies Master <strong>of</strong> Science on Entrepreneurship in Tehran
University and works as a researcher in Iranian academic center for educational,
cultural and research (ACECR) company. Her research interests are academic
spin-<strong>of</strong>f, technology transfer. She has one published paper in Iranian magazine
and one oral acceptation and works on <strong>the</strong> research about ACECR spin-<strong>of</strong>fs.
Izzal Asnira Zolkepli is a PhD candidate, Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Business,
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Malaysia. ASTS fellowship, School <strong>of</strong> Communication,
University <strong>of</strong> Science, Malaysia. BA (Hons) in Mass Communication majoring in
Advertising, University Technology MARA, Malaysia and MA in Advertising, RMIT
University, Melbourne, Australia. Worked as an advertising/PR practitioner. PhD
research in consumer media consumption and new media with focus on
technology adoption and usage patterns.
xxxix

Katalin Zsuzsanna Szabó, Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economics, Law and
Administrative Sciences <strong>of</strong> Petru Maior University, Tirgu Mures, Romania; PhD in
Ma<strong>the</strong>matics publish research papers, books. Founding member Association <strong>of</strong>
Economic Faculties in Romania Manager/member in national, european projects.
xl

Strategizing Through Networking in Interplay With Aspired
Positions
Lise Aaboen, Frida Lind and Anna Dubois
Chalmers University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
Abstract: In this paper we focus on newly formed companies based on
a technological innovation, so called NTBFs, with limited resources and
few or none contacts and relationships in <strong>the</strong> network, and <strong>the</strong>ir strategic
actions. The aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to analyse how NTBFs strategize in
networks in terms <strong>of</strong> how <strong>the</strong> early networking <strong>of</strong> NTBFs interplays with
<strong>the</strong> ideas for <strong>the</strong>ir future network. Strategy or strategizing is understood
in relation to <strong>the</strong> activities, resources and actors embedded into a
network. Strategizing is thus related to <strong>the</strong> interdependence <strong>of</strong> a
business network, which gives both opportunities and limitations.
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, studies <strong>of</strong> strategising assume that <strong>the</strong> development is a
movement towards a desired end state or goal. However, we observe
that <strong>the</strong> desired end state also undergoes changes when <strong>the</strong> NTBFs
develop, which in turn cause <strong>the</strong> strategising to change in a new
direction. The basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study was ten Swedish NTBFs that in addition
to exploiting a new technology all had at least one paying customer.
When analyzing <strong>the</strong> case material we made in-case analyses where we
first wrote descriptions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> individual cases based on all material
collected in relation to it. We noticed that <strong>the</strong> business networks fast
started to become ra<strong>the</strong>r complex while <strong>the</strong> goalnetworks tended to be
organized in a ra<strong>the</strong>r orderly fashion and that <strong>the</strong> goalnetworks changed
when <strong>the</strong> NTBF realized that <strong>the</strong> strategy <strong>the</strong>y had used so far did not
work anymore. Based on <strong>the</strong>se sketches and <strong>the</strong> descriptions we were
able to choose <strong>the</strong> three illustrations <strong>of</strong> development patterns used in <strong>the</strong>
present paper. Three ra<strong>the</strong>r different patterns were visible in <strong>the</strong> cases.
NTBF1 wanted to grow but due to <strong>the</strong>ir lack <strong>of</strong> resources <strong>the</strong>y needed to
utilize <strong>the</strong>ir network in different ways in order to grow fur<strong>the</strong>r and satisfy
<strong>the</strong>ir customers. NTBF2 realizes that a large obstacle in forming
customer relationships is <strong>the</strong>ir lack <strong>of</strong> legitimacy and <strong>the</strong>refore starts to
“borrow” legitimacy from <strong>the</strong>ir o<strong>the</strong>r relationships and find ways to
increase sales to <strong>the</strong>ir present relationships better instead <strong>of</strong> only
focusing on forming new ones. NTBF3 finds ways to utilize knowledge
between different customer relationships. The different customers were
<strong>the</strong>refore kept unaware <strong>of</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r.
Keywords: network, goal, strategy, NTBFs
1

Identifying <strong>the</strong> Social and Cultural Factors that Affect
Teenager’s Entrepreneurial Readiness in Iran
Arezou Abasian 1 , Mostafa Alimiri 1 and Amin Salari 2
1
Entrepreneurship Department, University <strong>of</strong> Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Management department, Islamic Azad University, Science and
Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: Most experts and researchers argue that” Entrepreneurs are
not born, <strong>the</strong>y are made”. This refers to <strong>the</strong> attempts that are done by
families and institutions for development <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial capabilities
among children, from early stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir life to <strong>the</strong>ir graduation from
universities and hiring in a job or establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own business.
However, most <strong>of</strong> teenagers and students are thinking about
employment in large companies or governmental organizations. This is a
sign <strong>of</strong> low effectiveness <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial education and programs in
universities and schools. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important factors in creating
entrepreneurial readiness in people is <strong>the</strong> environment that <strong>the</strong>y are
growing in. At <strong>the</strong> macro level, cultural and social factors can affect this
environment. Thus, paying attention to social and cultural factors for
development <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial readiness in teenagers is important. So,
high school <strong>of</strong>ficers, educational bodies and o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders can
benefit by listening to <strong>the</strong>m for planning <strong>the</strong> educational programs better.
Policy makers can also remove main barriers for entrepreneurship
development among teenagers. In this paper we attempt to analyze <strong>the</strong>
first findings <strong>of</strong> a survey-driven study about high school students at
different educational majors in Iran. First, a <strong>the</strong>oretical and literature
review <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r studies will be presented. Second, a conceptual
framework for <strong>the</strong> research will be outlined. Third <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> semi
structured interviews with Iranian experts (entrepreneurship teachers
and instructors, university faculties, entrepreneurs and governmental
<strong>of</strong>ficers) will be analyzed and finally <strong>the</strong> main social and cultural factors
that are most effective to teenager’s entrepreneurial readiness and also
how <strong>the</strong>se factors are efficient will be addressed. Our findings, albeit
derived from an early stage <strong>of</strong> our ongoing field research and more
exploratory than normative at this point, indicate that at least in <strong>the</strong>
Iranian environment, <strong>the</strong>se social and cultural factors could provide a
supportive environment for entrepreneurial readiness among teenagers
and act as impediments to entrepreneurship growth.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial readiness, social factors, cultural factors,
teenagers
2

Assessing <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> M-Learning Support in an Higher
Education Context: A Study Approach Based in <strong>the</strong>
Innovation Spreading
Steven Abrantes 1 and Luis Borges Gouveia 2
1 Polytechnic Institute <strong>of</strong> Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
2 University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal
Abstract: Computers are becoming increasingly indispensable in our
day-to-day lives. Just 10 years ago, a mobile device served only to send
text messages and for calling (mainly voice communication). Nowadays,
resulting from large advances in technology, mobile devices let us do
almost everything a computer does, besides telephone calls and
sending text messages – it also brings new promises to extend even
fur<strong>the</strong>r computers and networks potentials – as <strong>the</strong> most promising
applications are <strong>the</strong> location ones. Current literature on m-learning refers
to <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> studies on real use <strong>of</strong> m-learning applications and how
<strong>the</strong>y can compete with <strong>the</strong>ir desktop counterparts. The study consists <strong>of</strong>
an experiment involving one hundred and twelve higher education
students and a set <strong>of</strong> learning activities that <strong>the</strong>y have to accomplish.
The proposed study is based on <strong>the</strong> categories presented by Roger
(2003) for <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovations, and also Mesquita (2007)
proposed <strong>the</strong>ory for forum messages classification, based on <strong>the</strong>ir
content. The research main goal is to validate which <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students,
involved in <strong>the</strong> study, are in <strong>the</strong> initial and <strong>the</strong> majority market <strong>of</strong>
adopters and also classify what type <strong>of</strong> messages are sent by each <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>se different kinds <strong>of</strong> users, when using Google Groups, grouping <strong>the</strong>
students by desktop users and laptop users. From <strong>the</strong> research findings,
it was possible to conclude that students that belong to <strong>the</strong> initial market
sent less messages whose content has been classified as Very Good,
Good, and Positive and also messages classified as not significant, than
<strong>the</strong> users that belong to <strong>the</strong> majority market.
Keywords: innovation adoption; mobile devices; learning; Google
Groups; messages types
3

Comparing <strong>the</strong> Approaches <strong>of</strong> two UK Universities to
Teaching Business Enterprise
Nigel Adams 1 and Joan Lockyer 2
University <strong>of</strong> Buckingham, Buckingham, UK, Coventry University,
Coventry,UK
Abstract: This paper will explore <strong>the</strong> approach adopted by two
universities who have developed and implemented different approaches
to undergraduate business enterprise honours degree programmes.
Both educational approaches, in <strong>the</strong>ir own way, aim to stimulate real and
enduring entrepreneurial behaviour. One programme compels business
start-up as an integral part <strong>of</strong> its approach, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r encourages it. Our
approach here is not to condemn ei<strong>the</strong>r, but ra<strong>the</strong>r to compare and
contrast our cumulative experience <strong>of</strong> 10 years enterprise education and
to consider what has worked, what has not worked and what we plan to
do differently in <strong>the</strong> future Our approaches must be viewed from <strong>the</strong>
perspective <strong>of</strong> our respective institutional backgrounds. Both Universities
promote <strong>the</strong>mselves as ‘entrepreneurial’ and <strong>the</strong>se programmes are
flagships <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir entrepreneurialism, that being defined by Shattock
(2009) as <strong>the</strong> capacity to turn a business idea into a success through
blending creativity or innovation with sound business management;
implicit in <strong>the</strong> concept is a readiness to take risks, a taste for
independence and self realisation. While our institutions may implicitly
subscribe to <strong>the</strong>se ideals, one institution is constrained by what Clark
(1998) describes as restrictive funding systems and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, as Clark
urges, is less dependent on <strong>the</strong> state. Whe<strong>the</strong>r, as a consequence, one
is more entrepreneurial in its approach than <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r is a matter for
debate, again it depends upon your perspective. Imposed business
start-up had <strong>the</strong> potential to provide students with ‘real’ business
experience; not to do so, has <strong>the</strong> potential to become little more than a
business studies degree that focuses on <strong>the</strong> SME sector. We argue that
it is possible to do more than ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se stereotypes suggest, but
this means focusing more on <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> an entrepreneurial
mindset and less on business start-up as a fixed outcome. Whilst <strong>the</strong>
two are not mutually exclusive, arriving at a happy medium (institutional
contentment and entrepreneurial students) is a tricky balancing act. In
sharing our experiences, we aim to inform <strong>the</strong> debate and we also hope
to learn from o<strong>the</strong>rs in order to continue to innovate in our approaches to
teaching and enterprise development.
Keywords: fur<strong>the</strong>r education; enterprise education; business start-up;
innovation; creativity: seed capital
4

Conceiving Science Policies’ Contribution to Regional
Development: Evidence From Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands and Sweden
Antonios Aggelakis, University <strong>of</strong> Crete, Greece
Abstract: A vast amount <strong>of</strong> attention has been paid last years to science
and innovation policies for enhancing regional development. It is more
than inarguable today that scientific knowledge has an increasingly
crucial role in contemporary societies constituting a driving force in
technological, organizational and institutional terms which transcends
<strong>the</strong> underlying socio-economic conditions. In tandem, <strong>the</strong> critical and
inexhaustible significance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> territorial context on knowledge
exploration and exploitation, including interplaying institutional and
organizational arrangements, are essential parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>oretical and
empirical interpretation. The present paper contributes to <strong>the</strong> academic
literature through <strong>the</strong> exploration <strong>of</strong> science policies in two illustrative
regional examples, Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands (Twente) and Sweden (Skåne). Based
on empirical and qualitative exploration, <strong>the</strong> paper explores major
features <strong>of</strong> science policy and addresses questions regarding <strong>the</strong>
multiple transformative socio-economic roles <strong>of</strong> knowledge institutions
with a special emphasis on new emerging governance forms. What is
argued in <strong>the</strong> paper concerns <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> universities and public research
institutes to local development which might be multiple and include more
than processes <strong>of</strong> licensing or patenting knowledge results. The certain
exploration reveals certain roles on system innovation and associational
capacity, collective learning, knowledge-based institutional change.
Keywords: Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands, Sweden, regional innovation capacity, science
policy, institutional change
Formalising Network Development in Manufacturing SMEs
Merja Airola 1 , Erno Salmela 2 and Ari Happonen 2
1 VTT Technical Research Centre <strong>of</strong> Finland, Espoo, Finland
2 LUT, Lappeenranta University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Lappeenranta,
Finland
Abstract: The purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is to identify and specify <strong>the</strong>
enhancers and challenges in <strong>the</strong> formalisation <strong>of</strong> development regarding
strategic manufacturing networks. The aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study is to determine
<strong>the</strong> manner in which small and medium enterprise (SME) networks might
formalise <strong>the</strong>ir network development in order to improve <strong>the</strong> quality and
efficiency <strong>of</strong> development and innovativeness. Our contribution to <strong>the</strong>
network research <strong>of</strong> SMEs is by increasing understanding with regard to
5

<strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> networked business development and <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong>
formalisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inter-organisational business network development
process. In addition, innovation requires <strong>the</strong> ability to merge various
issues more effectively. Best practices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> case companies are
proposed in order to share knowledge between and within <strong>the</strong> case
networks. The study revealed that formalisation at <strong>the</strong> network level is
still quite low and heavily managed by <strong>the</strong> main contractor in <strong>the</strong> case
network. Although most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> practices identified supported continuous
improvement, <strong>the</strong> cases with development-oriented focus and network
development practices were also shown to have more practices in
support <strong>of</strong> innovation and idea generation. The research revealed that
<strong>the</strong> current development activities (continuous improvement) and <strong>the</strong>
creation <strong>of</strong> new activities (innovation) complement each o<strong>the</strong>r and
require a variety <strong>of</strong> development practices.
Keywords: manufacturing networks, inter-organisational network
development, case study, formalisation, innovation management
The Effect <strong>of</strong> TQM and R&D Capability on Innovation
Performance
Ali Ekber Akgün, İpek Koçoğlu, Hüseyin İnce, Salih Zeki İmamoğlu
and Halit Keskin, Gebze Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology, Kocaeli-Turkey
innovation activities <strong>of</strong> firms and as <strong>the</strong> most important intangible
innovation expenditure (Guan et al., 2006), indicates <strong>the</strong> ability to attain
new technology through internal R&D (Yam et al., forthcoming).
Concurrently, organizations ought to improve <strong>the</strong>ir R&D capability for
development and commercialization <strong>of</strong> new technologies, products and
processes faster than <strong>the</strong>ir competitors. In a similar vein, in <strong>the</strong>
contemporary management literature total quality management (TQM),
emerges as a strategic weapon for <strong>the</strong> firms which has to be managed
and implementation <strong>of</strong> which leads to a dynamic capability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
enterprises (Perdomo-Ortiz et al., 2009). Parallel to <strong>the</strong> calls made for
organizations to become quality focused, organizations have also been
urged by <strong>the</strong> researchers to become more innovative (Singh and Smith,
2004). Hence this study aims to develop a platform through which TQM
and R&D capability complementarily influence innovation performance.
Drawing on this framework <strong>the</strong> main purpose <strong>of</strong> this study is to evince
<strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> R&D capability and TQM on innovation performance. Amid
in this research agenda two partial gaps have been explored: First,
although a robust relationship between TQM and innovation
performance seems to be plausible in <strong>the</strong> literature, <strong>the</strong> gap embedded
is <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> a study examining <strong>the</strong> relationship <strong>of</strong> TQM and R&D
6

capabilities. Second, little empirical evidence has so far been <strong>of</strong>fered to
support <strong>the</strong> positive relationship between <strong>the</strong>se strategic weapons <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
organization namely; TQM, R&D capability and innovation performance
basing <strong>the</strong> argument on dynamic capabilities <strong>the</strong>ory. In turn, this paper
presents an empirical research which evaluates <strong>the</strong> co-alignment
between TQM and R&D capability in enhancing <strong>the</strong> innovation
performance <strong>of</strong> organizations. Consequently hypo<strong>the</strong>ses are developed
and tested via PLS analysis in which data are collected from 105
manufacturing firms in Turkey, and <strong>the</strong> findings are discussed.
Keywords: R&D capability, technological innovation capabilities, TQM,
innovation performance, dynamic capabilities
Social Technology Interaction for Innovation Generation in
a Propelling Middle East Country: The Development <strong>of</strong>
LINKING Oman program
Abeer Al-Mukhaini¹, Luiza Sarayeddin Yaqoob Al-Farsi² and
Mohammed Al-Mughairi¹
¹Development and Innovation Office, The Research Council,
Muscat, Oman, ²Information and Technology Authority, Muscat,
Oman
Abstract: This paper aim to present a key program to foster innovation
in one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> only two Sultanates in <strong>the</strong> world: <strong>the</strong> Sultanate <strong>of</strong> Oman.
The recent development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> communication technology usage in <strong>the</strong>
Middle East has lead to dramatic impact in tackling <strong>the</strong> challenges facing
<strong>the</strong> entire region, especially amongst <strong>the</strong> growing young generations.
The Sultanate <strong>of</strong> Oman, guided by a national plan with a long-term
vision (i.e. Vision 2020), is aiming for capitalizing in ICT (Information
Communication Technology) tools in order to foster research and
innovation culture. Accordingly, <strong>the</strong> LINKING Oman Program (i.e.
Linking International and National Knowledge for Innovation Generation
in Oman) has been designed to encourage and facilitate <strong>the</strong> dialogue
and collaboration between national and international stakeholders,
fostering <strong>the</strong> innovation ecology in <strong>the</strong> country. Making use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Communication for Mobilization <strong>the</strong>ory (Bernardo Toro, 1996) and
Information Communication Technologies, (in particular web 2.0
elements), <strong>the</strong> program was designed to promote an alliance between
<strong>the</strong> technological and social efforts for innovation. What is more, it
represents one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key programs integrated within a governmental
project (i.e The Innovation Hub) designed to provide a harmonized
environment, with centrally shared resources for various innovation
assistance programs in Oman. The importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program originates
7

from <strong>the</strong> fact that all <strong>the</strong> minimum ingredients and requirements to
initiate an innovation ecosystem in <strong>the</strong> country are in place, but a
coherent national dialogue to make it happen is apparently missing. For
instance, initial strategic studies showed that <strong>the</strong> proximity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest
university to <strong>the</strong> largest Oman’s Incubator, and industrial zones warrants
<strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best ‘Science Park’ in <strong>the</strong> Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) region, but <strong>the</strong> effective linkages for <strong>the</strong> necessary
dialogue are not visible. In a nut-shell, <strong>the</strong> LINKING Oman program is
capitalizing on <strong>the</strong> current available local infrastructure, <strong>the</strong> nationally
approved innovation programs and a realistic organizational
stakeholder's capacity, in order to make <strong>the</strong> most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fered
technological tools, which include collaborative platforms, virtual reality
labs and mentoring facilities. It is expected that <strong>the</strong> social component <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> dialogue will be activated by best practices in communication for
mobilization plans.
Keywords: Social networks, communication for mobilization, social
platforms, Innovation generation, national dialogue, Middle East
Social Entrepreneurship in <strong>the</strong> Middle East With More
Emphasis on <strong>the</strong> Gulf Region
Mohammed Alsahlawi
Department <strong>of</strong> Finance and Economics, College <strong>of</strong> Industrial
Management, King Fahd University <strong>of</strong> Petroleum & Minerals, , Saudi
Arabia
Abstract: Social entrepreneurship is still relatively new to Arab societies
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Middle East. Adapting <strong>the</strong> concept will facilitate transferring Social
Entrepreneurship into real applications. Such a process involves
challenges for policy makers and challenges for business and social
communities. At <strong>the</strong> academic level, social entrepreneurship has
received more attention recently in <strong>the</strong> last two decades in <strong>the</strong>
developed countries. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, not much academic concern
has been given to social entrepreneurship in less developed countries
especially, <strong>the</strong> Middle East and North Africa region. This paper explores
<strong>the</strong> entrepreneurship concept from social perspectives and will highlight
<strong>the</strong> problems and achievements with some examples from <strong>the</strong> Middle
East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The current and
future prospects <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurship in this part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world will
be reviewed and analyzed. The necessary policy issues and
implications will be drawn from <strong>the</strong> analysis.
Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, <strong>the</strong> Middle East, <strong>the</strong> Gulf, Social
Development, GCC
8

Teaching Entrepreneurship to non Business Majors: The
Case <strong>of</strong> EARTH University Constructivist Learning
Approach
Irene Alvarado-Van der Laat 1 and Aloyce Lekuton 2
1 Department <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial Program, EARTH University,
Guacimo, 2 Student <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Engineering, EARTH University,
Guacimo, Costa Rica
Abstract: Latin America is a region that depends a lot on <strong>the</strong> economic
development in <strong>the</strong> agricultural sector. With technological changes and
<strong>the</strong> intensified global competition which is brought about by globalization
and economic liberalization, <strong>the</strong> assumption that fosters
entrepreneurship; which means nurturing a country's competitiveness,
appears today more valid than ever. EARTH University has developed
and established an entrepreneurial program that links <strong>the</strong>se two aspects
(Agricultural and Economic prosperity) toge<strong>the</strong>r and has been successful
for over twenty years. The project was developed from a constructivist
learning perspective, where activities are connected to <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
learner and every year it develops twenty to twenty-four different
entrepreneurial projects. The program uses self-directed and small
group learning activities to teach students basic concepts in
entrepreneurship. The primary learning activity is a business plan project
which uses an au<strong>the</strong>ntic, local setting and draws upon business owners
and o<strong>the</strong>r individuals embedded in <strong>the</strong> setting to contribute to student
learning. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se have values in terms <strong>of</strong> providing an opportunity
for <strong>the</strong> students to learn important concepts and practice important
activities related to entrepreneurship, learning experience and <strong>the</strong>ir
eventual entrepreneurial behaviour. Through this program <strong>the</strong> students
develop <strong>the</strong> knowledge and experience on how to handle <strong>the</strong> business
plan in <strong>the</strong>ir businesses, which is an encouraging component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
future career or life and marks <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> this program. In addition, it
melds <strong>the</strong> students into future agents <strong>of</strong> change because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> roles
<strong>the</strong>y play in <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>the</strong>y carry on in <strong>the</strong>ir small business groups,
<strong>the</strong>refore becoming real agents <strong>of</strong> change for <strong>the</strong> future and for <strong>the</strong>ir
countries, communities and <strong>the</strong>ir families.
Keywords: Latin America, entrepreneurial, comprehensive,
constructivism, non-business students, agriculture
9

Strategy for Social Enterprises or Never Say Never
Christos Apostolakis
Bournemouth Business School, Bournemouth University, UK
Abstract: The principal aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to identify <strong>the</strong> strategic
dimensions <strong>of</strong> an operational structure that could suit a social enterprise.
Social entrepreneurship involves individuals and groups that create
independent organisations in mobilising ideas and resources to address
social needs. A focus on strategy in this context becomes paramount, as
it can give a long-term direction to social enterprises and resolve some
<strong>of</strong> its long-standing issues such as <strong>the</strong> position <strong>of</strong> social enterprises in
being largely regarded as only suppliers to <strong>the</strong> state, <strong>of</strong>ten providing
services for people. In this respect, a strategic framework is produced
regarding aspects <strong>of</strong> mission, decision making power, pr<strong>of</strong>it distribution,
effectiveness <strong>of</strong> service delivery and benefits for <strong>the</strong> local community.
Methodology-wise <strong>the</strong> paper is based upon work that can be identified
within <strong>the</strong> geographical context <strong>of</strong> Bournemouth, Poole and
Christchurch, in Dorset, South West <strong>of</strong> England. It is based upon
conduct <strong>of</strong> qualitative research including semi-structured interviewing,
collection <strong>of</strong> secondary data and observations <strong>of</strong> local social enterprises.
It is anticipated that potential research outcomes would include: specific
strategic practices in <strong>the</strong> way social enterprises operate and deliver
services. It could also be suggested that strategies for <strong>the</strong> future should
pay more attention into mobilising social enterprises as a force for
innovation.
Keywords: strategy; social entrepreneurship; bournemouth, poole &
christchurch, uk; organisational operation
Teaching Methods in Entrepreneurship Education: The
Case Of Business Students in Iran
Zahra Arasti, Mansoreh Kiani Falavarjani and Narges Imanipour
Faculty <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship, University <strong>of</strong> Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: As stated in numerous studies, entrepreneurship education is
becoming more and more important everywhere in <strong>the</strong> world and
research works in entrepreneurship are growing and getting legitimacy in
<strong>the</strong> scientific communities, however a few scholars have focused on <strong>the</strong>
subfield <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education. Although <strong>the</strong> key to a successful
entrepreneurship education is to find <strong>the</strong> most effective way to manage
<strong>the</strong> teachable skills and identify <strong>the</strong> best match between student needs
and teaching techniques, <strong>the</strong>re is no universal pedagogical recipe to
10

teach entrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> choice <strong>of</strong> techniques and modalities
depends mainly on <strong>the</strong> objectives, contents and constraints imposed by
<strong>the</strong> institutional context. Entrepreneurship education is a new
phenomenon in Iran. These programs vary widely in terms <strong>of</strong> short term
objectives, target audiences, format and pedagogical approach. The first
post-graduate entrepreneurship management program has been
initiated in <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Tehran in 2005. Purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is to
investigate on different teaching methods <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education
in this master program. This is a qualitative study and data was ga<strong>the</strong>red
through <strong>the</strong> semi structured interviews with six experts on teaching
methods by taking <strong>the</strong> experts opinion about teaching methods <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship education for business students. The results point out
passive methods could be used to teach <strong>the</strong> basic and <strong>the</strong>oretical
contents, but active methods like group discussion, role play or
simulation are needed to teach in advanced learning level. They also
agree to apply for <strong>the</strong> creative methods include problem solving, training
in an enterprise and scientific visits.
Keywords: entrepreneurship education, teaching methods, higher
education, business students, Iran
From Technological Innovation to Innovation in
Management Practices: The Case <strong>of</strong> Episkin®
Claire Auplat
Advancia School <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship, Paris, France
Abstract: Innovation research has come a long way since <strong>the</strong> early
models <strong>of</strong> linear innovation developed at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1940s, and it has
diversified into many subfields. This paper is part <strong>of</strong> a stream which
focuses on <strong>the</strong> relationships between technological innovation and
innovation in management practices. It explores how technological
innovation may be a source <strong>of</strong> innovation in management practices. It is
based on <strong>the</strong> empirical case study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> Episkin®.
Episkin is an in-vitro solution which is used by firms to test new products
on engineered tissues. It allows scientists to screen and measure with
high precision, <strong>the</strong> irritation, penetration, metabolism, or efficacy <strong>of</strong> a
large number <strong>of</strong> formulations or active ingredients on reconstituted
artificial skin and/or epidermis obtained by cell culture, in order to
eliminate unsuitable ones. The development <strong>of</strong> this alternative method
has led to a phasing out <strong>of</strong> animal testing by <strong>the</strong> cosmetics company
L’Oréal and has accompanied regulatory change at <strong>the</strong> institutional
level. Using a methodology which rests on <strong>the</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> archival
sources complemented by focused interviews, <strong>the</strong> paper firstly analyzes
11

<strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> technological innovation which led to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong>
Episkin in <strong>the</strong> SkinEthic Laboratories, which are owned by L’Oréal. It
<strong>the</strong>n studies why and how this technological innovation was part <strong>of</strong>
L’Oreal’s management strategy. Finally, it shows that L’Oreal’s use <strong>of</strong>
technological innovation became a source <strong>of</strong> innovation in management
practices. The paper aims to contribute to <strong>the</strong> important literature which
is devoted to <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> various forms and sources <strong>of</strong> innovation. By its
implications for policy making and management practices it also
contributes to <strong>the</strong> strategic management literature, as well as to <strong>the</strong>
policy literature.
Keywords: innovation, technological change, innovative management,
Episkin, L’Oréal, REACH
Impact <strong>of</strong> PDDC in Promoting Entrepreneurship in
Pakistan: A Case Study <strong>of</strong> Dairy Farmers
Farah Naz Baig and Saima Husain
Marketing Department,Institute <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, Karachi
Abstract: According to <strong>the</strong> White Paper by <strong>the</strong> Pakistan Dairy
Development Company (PDDC), Pakistan is <strong>the</strong> fourth largest milk
producer with <strong>the</strong> dairy sector as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fastest growing ones in <strong>the</strong>
country. The dairy sector in Pakistan has considerable potential, it not
only provides livelihood to a great majority <strong>of</strong> farmers but can also
contribute significantly towards exports, if developed properly. Despite
immense potential in this sector, <strong>the</strong> livestock farmers face numerous
issues such as, poor pr<strong>of</strong>itability, poverty, lack <strong>of</strong> contact with <strong>the</strong>
ultimate market, lack <strong>of</strong> education and knowledge. The farming
pr<strong>of</strong>ession in Pakistan is largely inherited and <strong>the</strong> farmers do not know
<strong>the</strong> right methods to raise <strong>the</strong> animals. An interesting element to note
here is <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> women as <strong>the</strong> prime caretakers <strong>of</strong> cattle. In <strong>the</strong> midst
<strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong>se problems, a ray <strong>of</strong> hope for <strong>the</strong>se desperate farmers is
provided by PDDC. PDDC, more commonly known as Dairy Pakistan,
proposes to improve <strong>the</strong> dairy sector by re-engineering at both <strong>the</strong> farm
and <strong>the</strong> processor level. It is a public private initiative with a vision to
bring Pakistan in <strong>the</strong> list <strong>of</strong> top five dairy economies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. PDDC
is a three phased program that started in 2005 and is expected to
continue till 2015.PDDC has made concerted efforts to re-engineer <strong>the</strong>
dairy industry both at <strong>the</strong> farm and <strong>the</strong> processor level. The aim is to
modernize <strong>the</strong> local dairy practices so as to better meet <strong>the</strong> local
demand and at <strong>the</strong> same time compete with <strong>the</strong> developed dairy
industries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world such as New Zealand, China, India, USA, etc.
This case study aims to determine <strong>the</strong> impact and outcomes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
12

initiatives taken by PDDC, using <strong>the</strong> Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
approach. The study is focused at <strong>the</strong> micro level to see whe<strong>the</strong>r PDDC
has been successful in convincing farmers to adopt modern dairy
practices. The research methodology used was in-depth interviews,
based on semi structured questionnaires, with farmers from six dairy
farms in Sind, where training was imparted to enable farmers to
revolutionize <strong>the</strong> pattern <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir dairy yield. The findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research
indicate encouraging results. Farmers who had practiced <strong>the</strong> methods
taught to <strong>the</strong>m such as leaving <strong>the</strong> cattle open to graze in enclosed
areas, covering <strong>the</strong> troughs, etc. experienced an increase in yield per
cattle. Our research indicates that <strong>the</strong> farmers are convinced to alter
<strong>the</strong>ir long held traditional ways <strong>of</strong> dairy farming. PDDC’s efforts seem to
have resulted in improved competencies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> farmers; <strong>the</strong> increased
yield has helped <strong>the</strong>m better feed <strong>the</strong>ir family and supply <strong>the</strong> excess
stock to <strong>the</strong> nearby retail market.
Keywords: Dairy practices, Monitoring and evaluation approach,
entrepreneurship, PDDC, Pakistan
Necessity versus Opportunity Immigrant Entrepreneurs:
<strong>the</strong> Case <strong>of</strong> Argentineans in Spain
Fabiola Baltar 1 leix Gregori 2 and Ignasi Brunet 1
1 Departament de Gestió d’Empreses, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
2 Departament d’Economia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Abstract: The aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> paper is to discuss what kinds <strong>of</strong> firms are
founded by <strong>the</strong> Argentinean entrepreneurs in Spain. Our hypo<strong>the</strong>sis is
that not only are <strong>the</strong>re Argentinean entrepreneurs who start up business
motivated by necessity, but <strong>the</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>rs who detect opportunities in
<strong>the</strong> market. As <strong>the</strong>re is not a registry <strong>of</strong> firms according to <strong>the</strong> nationality
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> owner, we used virtual social networks (Facebook’s groups) and
traditional snowball sampling to contact potential Argentinean
entrepreneurs. Eventually, 214 entrepreneurs living in Spain were
contacted. We made a conglomerate analysis using <strong>the</strong> following
criteria: previous labour experience, sector <strong>of</strong> activity (knowledge-based
or traditional ones) and motivation to start up a business (opportunity or
necessity). Results show that <strong>the</strong>re is heterogeneity among Argentinean
entrepreneurs. We identified six groups: 1) entrepreneurs motivated by
necessity; 2) intrapreneurs in Argentina who start up businesses in
sectors that are not knowledge-based; 3) entrepreneurs in Argentina
who start up businesses in not knowledge-based sectors; 4) inactive in
Argentina who is potentially innovating; 5) intrapreneurs in Argentina
who start up businesses in knowledge-based sectors and 6)
13

entrepreneurs in Argentina, with previous business experience, who
start up businesses in knowledge-based sectors. Except <strong>the</strong> first group,
<strong>the</strong>y are all "opportunity-driven entrepreneurs". Each group was
correlated with <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> education, <strong>the</strong> performance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm and
<strong>the</strong> willingness to return to Argentina. The relationship shows that
groups with firms based on knowledge are positively correlated with
education and business performance but negatively correlated with <strong>the</strong>
probability to return to <strong>the</strong> homeland. These conclusions have several
policy implications. Providing policy makers with information about <strong>the</strong>
different activities carried out by immigrants is crucial in order to
implement policies for <strong>the</strong> non-EU ones that lead to a greater valuation
<strong>of</strong> this kind <strong>of</strong> immigrants in society.
Keywords: entrepreneurship; opportunity/necessity entrepreneur,
developing countries immigrants
A Case Study <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneuring: Redesigning
Technologies for a Commercially Viable Cancer Detection
Product
Lynne Baxter 1 and Cathie Wright 2
1
The York Management School, University <strong>of</strong> York, York, UK
2
School <strong>of</strong> Management and Languages, Heriot Watt University,
Edinburgh, UK
Abstract: There is considerable appeal in defining a linear process <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneuring, mirroring <strong>the</strong> activities required to successfully launch a
new business or product. However various authors have noted that
business life is not quite so simple. This paper explores <strong>the</strong> various
processes <strong>of</strong> entrepreneuring (MacMillan 1986, Steyaert and Katz,
2004) and examines <strong>the</strong>m in relation to a case study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
commercialisation <strong>of</strong> a new form <strong>of</strong> technology that detects and visually
represents cancerous and precancerous cells. The technology is proven
to work, and in 2009 a new CEO was appointed to drive <strong>the</strong>
commercialisation; key to this is <strong>the</strong> creation and development <strong>of</strong> a
relationship with <strong>the</strong> subcontractor design and manufacturing company.
This relationship resulted in a completely new ergonomic design that
more effectively met <strong>the</strong> requirements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> clinical process. It also had
<strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong> being modular, enabling segmentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> product for
different markets; greatly reducing <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> production, at <strong>the</strong> same
time as facilitating its ability to be manufactured. The role <strong>of</strong> knowledge
relationships and <strong>the</strong>ir importance in <strong>the</strong> mobilisation process are
discussed in terms <strong>of</strong> relating this to <strong>the</strong> concepts <strong>of</strong> Actor Network
Theory (ANT) (Callon 1986) and Interaction Rituals (Collins 2004). The
14

paper demonstrates how complex and shifting <strong>the</strong>se interaction relations
are, but essential to <strong>the</strong> entrepreneuring process. We argue that <strong>the</strong>
CEO is an important actor, but not <strong>the</strong> only one important in <strong>the</strong> success
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business. The authors propose that entrepreneuring takes place
in a “worknet” (Latour 2010) <strong>of</strong> many people performing simultaneously
many strands <strong>of</strong> activities, in no way a linear discrete process overall,
but contains short sequences <strong>of</strong> linearity.
Keywords: entrepreneuring, product development, power, knowledge
Linking Industry-University in Proximity: The Innovative
Outcome <strong>of</strong> R&D Contracts in SMEs
Cristina Bayona-Sáez and Raquel González-Eransus
Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
Abstract: Widespread research into <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> university knowledge in
industrial innovation has produced a wealth <strong>of</strong> quantitative and
qualitative evidence, demonstrating <strong>the</strong> great interest it has held for
academics, industry and policymakers in recent years. This paper
examines interaction between universities and SMEs and <strong>the</strong> factors
that determine <strong>the</strong> outcomes <strong>of</strong> R&D contracts for firms. We address this
issue by analyzing <strong>the</strong> outcomes <strong>of</strong> 81 R&D contracts signed with <strong>the</strong>
Public University <strong>of</strong> Navarra between 2004 and 2009. In this exploratory
study, we analyze <strong>the</strong> factors contributing to <strong>the</strong> achievement <strong>of</strong> a new
product, a new process, a registered patent or a tax deduction. The
factors in question relate to <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> contract, <strong>the</strong> firms
and <strong>the</strong> research group. The results show that <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se
factors varies according to <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> outcome obtained, contractspecific
variables being <strong>the</strong> least significant.
Keywords: industry-university collaboration innovative impacts <strong>of</strong> R&D
contracts Knowledge transfer
Dialogic Dissensus Approach – a Model for Research
Based Facilitation <strong>of</strong> Innovation?
Jørgen Bloch-Poulsen
Aalborg University, Copenhagen
Abstract: This paper is based on <strong>the</strong>ories <strong>of</strong> workplace learning,
employee driven innovation, and organizational action research. The
contribution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> paper is a Dialogic Dissensus Approach to facilitating
innovation developed within Employee Driven Innovation in Teams
(EDIT). The purpose is to discuss this approach and some <strong>of</strong> its results
15

within organizational process innovation and to ask if <strong>the</strong> approach
would be relevant within different areas where innovation is based on
collaboration between persons with different pr<strong>of</strong>essional background,
culture or experiences. Thus, <strong>the</strong> perspective is research based
pr<strong>of</strong>essionalization <strong>of</strong> facilitating innovation within employee driven
innovation, user driven innovation, clustering, etc. The approach is
based on a model - Dialogic Helicopter Team Meetings - developed in
an action research project on EDIT. The project was titled ‘Innovation
and involvement through streng<strong>the</strong>ning dialogue in team based
organizations.’ We cooperated with 18 teams in two private and one
public organization: Danfoss Solar Inverters, Computer Sciences
Corporation (CSC), and Citizen Service, The Municipality <strong>of</strong> Silkeborg,
Denmark. It took place within a period <strong>of</strong> two years, 2008-2009. The
project was financed by <strong>the</strong> Danish Agency for Science, Innovation and
Technology, <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Science, Technology and Innovation.
Dialogic organizational action research is a methodology characterized
by action, research, and participation. We try to do research with, not on,
<strong>the</strong> 18 teams. Collaboratively, we aim at three types <strong>of</strong> results: first order
or practical results, i.e., organizational process innovations valuable for
<strong>the</strong> organization, <strong>the</strong> work organizing, and <strong>the</strong> work life quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
teams; second order or process organizing results, i.e., new approaches
facilitating <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> practical results, like, e.g., Dialogic Dissensus
Approach; and third order or <strong>the</strong>oretical results, i.e., new ways <strong>of</strong>
understanding <strong>the</strong> relation between second and first order results, e.g.,
<strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> dissensus welcoming conflict and disagreement in
facilitating innovation.
Keywords: innovation, dialogue, dissensus, participation, team
Stimulating / Blocking Factors <strong>of</strong> Female Entrepreneurship
in Rural Areas <strong>of</strong> Western Romania
Elena Botezat
University <strong>of</strong> Oradea, Romania
Abstract: This paper concerns <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> a research, integrated
within <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project entitled "The Entrepreneurship and
<strong>the</strong> Equality <strong>of</strong> Opportunities. An Inter-Regional Model <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial
School for Women (AntrES)", implemented in six counties situated on
<strong>the</strong> Western border <strong>of</strong> Romania (Bihor, Timiş, Arad, Maramureş, Caraş-
Severin, Satu-Mare). The study conducted between July 2010 and
March 2011 followed <strong>the</strong> intentions <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> 979 women from rural
areas <strong>of</strong> Western Romania to start <strong>the</strong>ir own business. Tradition,
stereotypes and religion have a major influence. But <strong>the</strong> Romanian
16

women are very lucid. The special feature is <strong>the</strong> capability to make a
realistic evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir situation and to see all <strong>the</strong> time <strong>the</strong> positive
part <strong>of</strong> this. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> communist values, completely
denying <strong>the</strong> values <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> market economy, were superimposed over <strong>the</strong>
values <strong>of</strong> free market economy. What has happened? The former were
not consolidated and <strong>the</strong> latter had not been shared. So <strong>the</strong> situation is
not simple. The main objective is to identify <strong>the</strong> stimulating / blocking
factors which determine <strong>the</strong> Romanian women from <strong>the</strong> rural area <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Western part <strong>of</strong> Romania to initiate <strong>the</strong>ir own business in order to
provide an useful tool to stimulate entrepreneurship in our country, like
<strong>the</strong> modality to survive on a competitive market economy. The data base
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research is collected through questionnaires administered at <strong>the</strong>
start and end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> course followed in July - October 2010, through nondirected
interviews and study <strong>of</strong> documents prepared within <strong>the</strong> project
mentioned above. The main conclusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study is that is time to
demolish <strong>the</strong> myth <strong>of</strong> individualism in entrepreneurship. If traditionally,
entrepreneurship has been seen as largely (if not 100%) individually, it
seems that now it has become ra<strong>the</strong>r a collective effort resulted in <strong>the</strong>
most obvious way in <strong>the</strong> collective ability to build and operate
organizations, communities and effective and efficient institutions. The
current problem in rural areas in Western Romania is not a lack <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurial potential and action at <strong>the</strong> individual level but <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong>
production technology, <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> internalized business values at a local
level and <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> social institutions and organizations to really
support female entrepreneurship in <strong>the</strong> Romanian rural environment.
Keywords: abilities, business potential, Romanian rural areas, women
entrepreneurship, economic development
Jungian Archetypes, Social Entrepreneurs and <strong>the</strong> ‘Big
Society’
Mary Brown
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Abstract: This paper applies Jung's <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> archetypes to <strong>the</strong>
experiences <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurs as <strong>the</strong>y seek to balance <strong>the</strong> need to
be commercially viable with philanthropy. In developing <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong>
archetypes, Jung built on Freud’s idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> psychodynamic
unconscious to suggest a deeper level <strong>of</strong> reality – <strong>the</strong> collective
unconscious – containing primordial images and ideas, forming
archetypal patterns. Like Plato’s forms, archetypes are a blueprint for
human apprehension. From <strong>the</strong>m emerge images, universal symbols
and myths which contain both positive and negative, (o<strong>the</strong>rwise termed
17

‘shadow’) aspects. They may be impersonal, such as <strong>the</strong> archetype <strong>of</strong>
death and rebirth, or personalised, such as <strong>the</strong> great mo<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> wise
man or <strong>the</strong> hero. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ubiquity <strong>of</strong> organizations in <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong>
individuals in Western cultures, leaders in work organizations encourage
<strong>the</strong>ir members to mirror <strong>the</strong> behaviours, attitudes and values <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
employer through concrete rewards and symbols, and in this sense
archetypes are powerful ‘stakeholders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organizational mind’. Jung
also suggested that individuals or communities which lack understanding
<strong>of</strong> psychodynamic processes risk becoming overwhelmed by archetypal
patterns <strong>of</strong> behaviour. In o<strong>the</strong>r words, inability to understand <strong>the</strong> nonrational,
psychodynamic aspects <strong>of</strong> organizational behaviour may give
rise to exaggerated or bizarre responses. Such explanations are <strong>of</strong>ten
missing from mainstream management texts. This paper examines <strong>the</strong>
experiences <strong>of</strong> Scottish social entrepreneurs at a crucial period, where
<strong>the</strong> ‘Big Society’ <strong>the</strong>me appears to be used both as an inducement and a
threat to <strong>the</strong> survival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir enterprises. Through <strong>the</strong> lens <strong>of</strong> Jungian
psychology <strong>the</strong> psychodynamic aspects <strong>of</strong> this situation are discussed.
The paper considers <strong>the</strong> archetypal roles influencing <strong>the</strong> actions <strong>of</strong>
social enterprise leaders as <strong>the</strong>y attempt to guide <strong>the</strong>ir organizations
through <strong>the</strong> associated psychic turbulence <strong>of</strong> cultural change.
Keywords: Big Society, Social Enterprise, Jungian Psychoanalysis
Ambiguity – A Useful Component <strong>of</strong> “Fuzziness” in new
Product Development
Eric Brun
UiS Business School / Centre for Innovation Research, University
<strong>of</strong> Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Abstract: Many aspects <strong>of</strong> new product development (NPD) processes
are still poorly understood. Particularly <strong>the</strong> early phases <strong>of</strong> NPD
processes are characterized by a high degree <strong>of</strong> uncertainty and
ambiguity, a phenomenon commonly recognized in literature as <strong>the</strong>
fuzzy front end <strong>of</strong> NPD. A clear understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> term fuzziness is
lacking in NPD literature, but some terms that have been used to
describe it are uncertainty (Moenaert, De Meyer, Souder, &
Deschoolmeester, 1995; Reid & de Brentani, 2004; Zhang & Doll, 2001),
ambiguity (Kim & Wilemon, 2002), chaos (Koen et al., 2001), and
complexity (Khurana & Rosenthal, 1998). The term fuzzy is hence used
to label situations characterized by lack <strong>of</strong> accurate knowledge.
Extending Zack’s (2001) model <strong>of</strong> knowledge problems, this paper
provides a framework to classify components <strong>of</strong> fuzziness and to relate
earlier scholars’ use <strong>of</strong> concepts such as ambiguity, equivocality, lack-<strong>of</strong>-
18

clarity and uncertainty to each o<strong>the</strong>r. Since presence <strong>of</strong> ambiguity is one
form <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> knowledge, I argue that resolving ambiguity is associated
with knowledge creation. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, I discuss how it is possible to
separate useless from useful ambiguity and thus purposefully exploit
ambiguity in a targeted manner to create new knowledge in innovation. I
substantiate this claim by comparing research by Brun and colleagues
(Brun, Sætre, & Gjelsvik, 2008, 2009) about how ambiguity occurs and
develops in NPD processes, with Nonaka’s (1994) model <strong>of</strong> knowledge
creation in innovation and Kolb’s (1984) model <strong>of</strong> experiential learning.
This <strong>the</strong>oretical paper has two contributions. Firstly, it draws on literature
from organizational and knowledge management literature and provides
a framework to classify <strong>the</strong> different components <strong>of</strong> fuzziness. Secondly,
it draws on literature from innovation management, knowledge
management and learning <strong>the</strong>ory and provides an account <strong>of</strong> how
ambiguity―as a component <strong>of</strong> fuzziness―has a useful role in <strong>the</strong>
knowledge-building process in NPD.
Keywords: Fuzzy front end, innovation, new product development,
ambiguity, learning
Workplace Related Determinants on Innovation Success
and Characteristics
Cagri Bulut, Selin Gencturk and Duygu Seckin Halac
Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey
Abstract: Despite <strong>the</strong> fact that innovation is at <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
competitive advantage and it is critically important for corporations to
survive in today’s dynamic competition, we still know little about <strong>the</strong>
determinants <strong>of</strong> its characteristics and success. Building on social
information processing <strong>the</strong>ory and resource-based view, this study
proposes that competitive advantage can be gained and sustained
through committed and satisfied employees. Considering employees as
<strong>the</strong> key determinants <strong>of</strong> innovation success and characteristics, we
identify <strong>the</strong> employees’ satisfaction and commitment to both <strong>the</strong>ir jobs
and organizations. This study proposes to <strong>the</strong> literature by integrating
<strong>the</strong> perspectives <strong>of</strong> strategic management and organizational behavior.
Literature on characteristics and success <strong>of</strong> innovation is cultivated by
<strong>the</strong> studies <strong>of</strong> strategic management, while literature on job and
workplace related attitudes <strong>of</strong> employees’ (JWA) is cultivated by <strong>the</strong>
studies <strong>of</strong> organizational psychology and organizational behavior.
Keywords: job satisfaction, job involvement, organizational
commitment, innovation
19

Does Really Innovative Work Behaviors <strong>of</strong> Emloyees
Mediate <strong>the</strong> Innovative Performance Impacts <strong>of</strong>
Intrapreneurship?
Cagri Bulut, Seray Begum Samur and Duygu Seckin Halac
Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey
Abstract: In today’s highly dynamic and innovation based competitive
environments force corporations to develop distinctive employee skills
and competencies which were difficult to replicate or to imitate by <strong>the</strong>
competitors. Resource based view suggests that developing, deploying
and protecting intangible assets are crucial to gain and sustain
competitive advantage. Internal corporate entrepreneurship
(intrapreneurship) plays <strong>the</strong> key role for sustainable rejuvenation <strong>of</strong>
ultimate organizational performance. The literature on intrapreneurship
and organizational innovativeness has focused on <strong>the</strong> managerial
competencies and managerial tools to achieve effective intrapreneurship
ra<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> employees who are <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> organizations.
In <strong>the</strong> literature <strong>the</strong>re are five managerial tools that are needed to
support an innovation oriented entrepreneurial climate within <strong>the</strong> large
organizations to orient employees to be more entrepreneurial and
<strong>the</strong>reby innovative; namely (1) management support, (2) time
availability, (3) individual freedom and autonomy, (4) reward
availability/reinforcement (5) management’s and employees’ absorption
capacity <strong>of</strong> risk. Innovation is <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> discovery, diffusion, action.
In this multi stage process, ideas are captured; filtered, funded,
developed, modified, clarified and eventually commercialized. Therefore
this study complements <strong>the</strong> literature by taking into account <strong>the</strong>
innovative work behavior <strong>of</strong> employee as a mediator factor with a multidimensional
structure between intrapreneurial climatic factors and
innovative performance. Management support, reward system,
autonomy, tolerance for failure and allocation <strong>of</strong> free time have been
employed as <strong>the</strong> compounds <strong>of</strong> innovative work behavior where idea
generation, idea promotion and idea realization have been employed as
innovative work behavior. Survey method was used to conduct <strong>the</strong> data
<strong>of</strong> this study. All scales have been adopted from existing literature. 65
manufacturing firms without any industrial limitations were chosen
randomly for <strong>the</strong> field study. The final sample includes 199 respondents
from 45 different firms mostly located in Izmir Atatürk Organized
Industrial Zone and ITOB Organized Industrial Zone. The respondents <strong>of</strong>
this study were <strong>the</strong> employees’ <strong>of</strong> manufacturing firms from all
hierarchical levels. After collecting <strong>the</strong> surveys and processing survey
data into SPSS 17.0 statistical s<strong>of</strong>tware, Exploratory Factor Analysis
20

was used to test <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> scales. Reliability tests <strong>of</strong> each factor
structure and <strong>the</strong>ir Pearson correlations scores were calculated and
presented with descriptive statistics. Finally multiple regression analysis
was utilized to test <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>ses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study. The results indicate that
intrapreneurial climate dimensions <strong>of</strong> management support and reward
availability toge<strong>the</strong>r with civic virtue are strong drivers <strong>of</strong> Innovative Work
Behaviors (IWBs), <strong>the</strong>se types <strong>of</strong> behaviors are also effective
instruments for <strong>the</strong> Innovative Performance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firms which lead to
effective functioning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organization in terms <strong>of</strong> manufacturing, new
product and financial performance.
Keywords: intrapreneurial climate, innovative work behavior, innovative
performance
Comparative Analysis <strong>of</strong> two S<strong>of</strong>tware Companies’
Performances Using Balanced Scorecard as a Competitive
Intelligence Tool
Alexandru Capatina 1 and Dragos Cristea 2
1 University Dunarea de Jos Galati, Romania and Al. I. Cuza
University <strong>of</strong> Iasi, Romania
2 University Dunarea de Jos Galati, Romania
Abstract: The main goal <strong>of</strong> performance assessment techniques is to
provide valid, updated and reliable information on performance. Our
paper’s aim is to answer <strong>the</strong> following question: “What are <strong>the</strong> most
significant key performance indicators for s<strong>of</strong>tware companies which are
able to assess <strong>the</strong>ir performances in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> competitive
intelligence application?” Thus, we designed a Balanced Scorecard
pattern which is focused on customized key performance indicators for
s<strong>of</strong>tware industry, distributed on <strong>the</strong> classical four dimensions: financial
perspective, customer perspective, internal business processes and
learning and growth perspective. The use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Balanced Scorecard
pattern as a competitive intelligence tool provides <strong>the</strong> opportunity to
reveal <strong>the</strong> performances’ gaps between two s<strong>of</strong>tware companies, by
applying <strong>the</strong> same evaluation system. The paper concludes with several
recommendations for <strong>the</strong> managers <strong>of</strong> Romanian IT companies in order
to improve <strong>the</strong>ir business performance.
Keywords: balanced scorecard, competitive intelligence, performance
assessment, information technology, competitive analysis
21

The Influence <strong>of</strong> Triad Participants on <strong>the</strong> Competitiveness
<strong>of</strong> Regions: The Zlín Region in Europe
Jaromír Černý
Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Zlín, Czech Republic
Abstract: The study focuses on competitiveness at a time when
economic transformation and industrial restructuring have been
completed. On <strong>the</strong> example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Zlín Region which has since 2000
performed duties <strong>of</strong> a higher territorial self-governing unit, examines <strong>the</strong>
tools to reach current competitiveness and <strong>the</strong> conditions for its
maintenance at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU budgetary policy after
2013. Nowadays, most economists agree that <strong>the</strong>re is competitiveness,
both at macro- and microeconomic level. Company competitiveness is a
relatively cogent concept <strong>of</strong> competitiveness in microeconomic concept.
The macroeconomic concept <strong>of</strong> competitiveness can not be fully applied
to <strong>the</strong> regional level. The process <strong>of</strong> globalization leads to search for
different organizational forms. These new forms can adequately adapt
from tight organizational forms to global market environment such as
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or clusters. The links
between institutional sectors are emphasized by <strong>the</strong> Triple Helix model.
The role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> triad results from <strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> cooperation and
coordination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three basic areas <strong>of</strong> social progress: education,
business and politico-public. The evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Zlín
Region in competitive global investment flows according to <strong>the</strong> index
inflows <strong>of</strong> foreign direct investment (inward FDI Performance Index -
IPEI) shows <strong>the</strong> depletion <strong>of</strong> existing localization benefits resulting from
lower production costs. It is acknowledged that <strong>the</strong> triad model based on
<strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> cooperation and coordination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three basic areas <strong>of</strong>
social progress: education, business and politico-public is accountable
for <strong>the</strong> current and future competitiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region.
Keywords: competitiveness, innovation, triad, Zlín Region
The Regional Cluster <strong>of</strong> SME’s in Romania
Gabriel Croitoru, Alexandru Badea, Florin Radu and Valentin Radu
University Valahia <strong>of</strong> Targoviste, Romania
Abstract: The present report aims to plan an achievement application <strong>of</strong>
a competitivity and performance cluster at regional level under <strong>the</strong>
circumstances <strong>of</strong> knowledge management at territorial level. The main
participants to <strong>the</strong> application will be: <strong>the</strong> Economic Environment (IMM /
SME and <strong>the</strong> Chamber <strong>of</strong> Commerce and Industry), Academic
22

Environment (University), representatives <strong>of</strong> local community (Townhall,
District Council), mass-media. The objective had into view is <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> competitiveness <strong>of</strong> regional IMMs by innovation and
mutualization <strong>of</strong> knowledge from prospect <strong>of</strong> strategic information
system. The suggested project will be achieved from double prospects:
<strong>of</strong> human resource and <strong>of</strong> methods and techniques used on <strong>the</strong>
background <strong>of</strong> relation between individual savoir-fair and capitalization
and transfer <strong>of</strong> fundamental knowledge.
Keywords: regional cluster, SME, competitivity, performance
The Role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University in <strong>the</strong> Promotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Entrepreneurial Culture Under <strong>the</strong> Triple Helix Model
Isidro de Pablo, Fernando Alfaro, Miriam Rodríguez and Esperanza
Valdés
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
Abstract: This study will fur<strong>the</strong>r examine an area that we have been
analyzing for some time: collaborative models between <strong>the</strong> University,
<strong>the</strong> Public Administration and <strong>the</strong> business community to foster
entrepreneurial culture in <strong>the</strong> university environment (de Pablo et al.
2010). More specifically, this paper presents a clear case <strong>of</strong>
collaboration among different types <strong>of</strong> Public Services and <strong>the</strong> Private
Sector for <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial Culture via a program
developed by one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main universities in <strong>the</strong> Comunidad de Madrid
(Spain). The vehicle to accomplish this task is <strong>the</strong> Centre for
Entrepreneurial Initiatives (CIADE) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid (UAM), set up 13 years ago for <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial
values and <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> enterprises in <strong>the</strong> University. Since its
creation, CIADE, lacking university-allocated financial resources, has
been using a collaborative model with a wide range <strong>of</strong> entities. Under
this model, named “Triple Helix Model”, by Etzkowitz y Leydesdorff
(1995), <strong>the</strong> University (UAM) is supported by <strong>the</strong> following organizations:
two levels <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Public Administration, national and regional (Ministry <strong>of</strong>
Science and Innovation and <strong>the</strong> Regional Employment Service <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Comunidad de Madrid, respectively), private entities, in particular a
financial institution (Caja Madrid Foundation) and different corporate
civic entities (ACS Foundation, and 3M Foundation, among o<strong>the</strong>rs). The
Triple Helix model is nowadays one <strong>of</strong> CIADE’s trademarks, both in its
global design and in <strong>the</strong> operation <strong>of</strong> its different areas. The main
objective <strong>of</strong> our research will be to analyze <strong>the</strong> roles Public
Administration and <strong>the</strong> Private Sector play in <strong>the</strong> UAM with respect to
entrepreneurship. This paper will show that <strong>the</strong> different entities involved
23

in entrepreneurial programs with <strong>the</strong> University, despite having different
goals and priorities, can establish and streng<strong>the</strong>n synergies under
proper coordination, ra<strong>the</strong>r than overlap <strong>the</strong>ir functions leading to <strong>the</strong>
recurrence or reduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> results achieved).
Keywords: human sciences and social entrepreneurship, regional
development, spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies, university entrepreneurship, science
and technology companies, CIADE, Madrid, social innovation, triple helix
The Steps <strong>of</strong> an Organisational Routine’s Transformation:
The Case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Employee Driven Innovation Routine at <strong>the</strong>
French National Railways Company (SNCF)
Carine Deslee
Université de Lille 2, France
Abstract: In a context <strong>of</strong> competition, innovation is a source <strong>of</strong>
enterprise development. Our research focuses on <strong>the</strong> SNCF company
with 160.000 railworkers. It is a bureaucratic structure (Weber 1971,
Mintzberg 1982 and Alter 1995, 1996). The SNCF activities concern
various sectors such as freight, equipment, infrastructure and travelers
in France and Europe. The company faces a large number <strong>of</strong> challenges
in this context <strong>of</strong> openness to competition. We analyze <strong>the</strong> Participative
Innovation routine that has deeply changed since <strong>the</strong> 1990s although a
routine in <strong>the</strong> literature is considered to be stable (Nelson and Winter,
1982 ; Cohen and al., 1996). Our questions include how this
Participative Innovation routine has changed so deeply ? How could a
suggestion system limited to <strong>the</strong> field maintenance become one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
pillars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SNCF’s strategic plan, called Industrial Project ? Since
2005 this routine has become a tool <strong>of</strong> communication both internally
and externally as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> campaign "Ideas ahead" ("des idées
d’avance"), which became a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SNCF company’s identity. We
rely on <strong>the</strong> methodological approach by Barley and Tolbert (1997) since
1990 to understand <strong>the</strong> different steps <strong>of</strong> an organisational routine’s
transformation through <strong>the</strong> notion <strong>of</strong> script. We adopt an interpretativist
posture (Girod-Seville and Perret, 1999) to study this Participative
Innovation routine understood in <strong>the</strong> sense <strong>of</strong> Feldman (2000). We show
that this routine has changed and we describe its interrelations with <strong>the</strong>
SNCF company. The interest <strong>of</strong> this research concerns <strong>the</strong> railways
companies but more generally all companies involved in market opening
and competition. Under <strong>the</strong> impetus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strategic project <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SNCF
company, we show why and how this Participative Innovation routine
has changed over <strong>the</strong> years.
Keywords: routine, participative innovation, innovation, SNCF, script
24

Beyond Entrepreneurial Education: The Access to Finance
as Obstacle to Women Entrepreneurship in Western
Romania
Anca Dodescu, Alina Badulescu and Tomina Saveanu
University <strong>of</strong> Oradea, Romania
Abstract: The aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to distinguish between different
factors <strong>of</strong> success as well as obstacles in women entrepreneurship
development in <strong>the</strong> western part <strong>of</strong> Romania. Previous data on this topic
showed that education and training has a double positive impact: as a
success factor for a business (highly educated women tend to run bigger
firms), as well as an element <strong>of</strong> promoting entrepreneurship among
women. Never<strong>the</strong>less experience showed us that training is an important
factor yet it does not act alone, and entrepreneurs, have to face several
challenges that require different type <strong>of</strong> resources. The data presented
in this paper are both quantitative and qualitative and are focused on <strong>the</strong>
type and <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> different problems which need to be solved by
women entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> initiation and development <strong>of</strong> a business.
Accordingly, <strong>the</strong> main research questions addressed in this paper are:
which is <strong>the</strong> hierarchy <strong>of</strong> obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs
comparatively at business start-up and after activity? Which are <strong>the</strong> main
obstacles <strong>of</strong> women who intend to develop a business? How can <strong>the</strong>se
obstacles be overcome? The first part investigates different obstacles
faced by women entrepreneurs in Western Romania, such as taxes,
bureaucracy, instable legal frame work, competition and access to
finance. Our study is based on <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> a survey conducted within
<strong>the</strong> project “Entrepreneurship and Equality <strong>of</strong> Chances. An Inter-regional
Model <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship Training for Women in Western Romania -
ANTRES” (POSDRU/9/3.1/S/5). We have investigated two categories <strong>of</strong>
women: first entrepreneurs from urban areas in <strong>the</strong> western part <strong>of</strong>
Romania and second women who intend to start a business from urban
and rural western Romania – over 2000 questionnaires were analyzed in
this paper. The main conclusion <strong>of</strong> this section is that most problems
that entrepreneurs have to overcome in order to develop <strong>the</strong>ir business
can be addressed solely by governmental policies and support in access
to finance and o<strong>the</strong>r resources. This last category <strong>of</strong> factors was
especially emphasized by women who intend to start <strong>the</strong>ir own business
from <strong>the</strong> project mentioned above, which were interviewed as a follow up
survey. From <strong>the</strong>se interviews, which are analyzed in <strong>the</strong> second section
<strong>of</strong> this paper, we can state that <strong>the</strong> main obstacle in <strong>the</strong> decision to
initiate one’s own business is <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> financial resources along with
o<strong>the</strong>r aspects derived from <strong>the</strong> current economic context. Consequently,
25

in <strong>the</strong> third part we addressed this last aspect, and added a new
research question: Is <strong>the</strong> access to finance a real obstacle to
entrepreneurship, especially for women entrepreneurship? This section
is based on analysis derived from <strong>the</strong> joint EBRD – World Bank
Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS)
conducted in 2002 and 2005, as well as CEEDR 2000. This data
supports <strong>the</strong> conclusion <strong>of</strong> our ANTRES survey, as business start-up
finance is seen a major problem by most respondents, along with high
tax rates.
Keywords: women entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial education,
business finance, business start-up, access to finance
Innovative Practices and Success <strong>of</strong> Small Agro- Sensitive
Innovation – How to Conceptualise Heterogenic and
Intangible Innovation Processes
Katia Dupret Søndergaard
Organisational Psychology, Research unit Innovation and
Organisation, Danish University School <strong>of</strong> Education, Aarhus
University, Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstract: Present paper discusses sources <strong>of</strong> innovation as heterogenic
and at times intangible processes. Arguing for heterogeneity and
intangibility as sources <strong>of</strong> innovation originates from a <strong>the</strong>oretical
reading in STS and ANT studies (e.g. Callon 1986, Latour 1996, Mol
2002, Pols 2005) and from field work in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> mental health
(Dupret Søndergaard 2009, 2010). The concept <strong>of</strong> sensitive innovation
is developed to capture and conceptualise exactly those heterogenic
and intangible processes. Sensitive innovation is <strong>the</strong>refore primarily a
way to understand innovative sources that can be, but are not
necessarily, recognized and acknowledged as such in <strong>the</strong> outer
organisational culture or by management. The added value that qualifies
<strong>the</strong>se processes to be defined as “innovative” are thus argued for along
different lines than in more traditional innovation studies (e.g. studies
that build on <strong>the</strong> classic definition developed by Schumpeter that defines
innovation as an effort by one or more individuals to create economic
pr<strong>of</strong>it through a qualitative change by Schumpeter in 1934). These
different lines are to do with acknowledging how innovative sources are
heterogenic and intangible. Also, it is argued that to understand <strong>the</strong>
sources <strong>of</strong> innovation one needs to capture, not only what people are
identifying as innovative, but also looking into how artefacts are
contributing in creating newness. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, it is argued that even efforts
that are not necessarily acknowledged by <strong>the</strong> outer organisational
26

culture and/or by management may have important impact on innovating
working practices that in turn add value to both <strong>the</strong> organisation, its staff
members and its costumers or users. The paper is structured in <strong>the</strong>
following way. First, <strong>the</strong> argument <strong>of</strong> heterogeneity in innovative
processes will be presented. Second, aspects <strong>of</strong> intangibility relating to
<strong>the</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> innovation processes are argued for and discussed
how heterogeneity and intangibility are important platforms <strong>of</strong> reference
in sensitive innovation.
Keywords: sources <strong>of</strong> innovation, intangibility, Actor-network <strong>the</strong>ory,
employee driven innovation, sensitive innovation, mental health
Processing Enterprises in Ghana
Smile Dzisi and Faustina Aku Otsyina
K<strong>of</strong>oridua Polytechnic, K<strong>of</strong>oridua, Ghana
Abstract: Most entrepreneurship scholars emphasize <strong>the</strong> critical role <strong>of</strong>
innovation in <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> businesses. This perspective is used to
explore <strong>the</strong> innovative practices in small agro-processing enterprises in
Ghana and how <strong>the</strong>se innovative practices relate to <strong>the</strong>ir success. The
innovative practices explored are <strong>the</strong> introduction <strong>of</strong> new products and
processes, identification <strong>of</strong> new sources <strong>of</strong> raw materials and new
markets. So far, little research has analyzed innovative practices in small
agro-processing enterprises in Ghana. This study aims at filling this gap
by testing hypo<strong>the</strong>ses between <strong>the</strong> independent and dependent
variables (innovative practices and success). Proportional stratified
sampling is used to select 715 out <strong>of</strong> 835 small agro-processing
enterprises (palm fruit, cassava, fish and fruit) in <strong>the</strong> Eastern Region <strong>of</strong>
Ghana. Quantitative and qualitative approaches are combined in data
collection and analysis. Questionnaires are used to collect data from all
respondents and 50 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m are selected purposively for interviews and
observations. The findings show that <strong>the</strong> small agro-processing
enterprises engage in various types <strong>of</strong> innovative practices, which have
contributed to success and growth. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new practices include
<strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> fuel efficient processing methods, diversification <strong>of</strong>
product line, improved packaging and opening <strong>of</strong> new market outlets.
Their success factors include self-fulfillment, wealth creation and positive
impact on <strong>the</strong> Ghanaian economy. The Chi-square outcome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
testing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>ses confirms that <strong>the</strong> innovations have statistically
significant influences on <strong>the</strong>ir business success. It is important for
governments and policy institutes in developing economies, especially in
Ghana to support agro-processors with improved technology and
marketing strategies to increase <strong>the</strong>ir capabilities, productivity and
27

competitiveness. Also, since <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> agro-processors are women,
<strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> need for innovative organizational strategies to address
women’s gender roles such as training <strong>the</strong> women in <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> modern
technologies to enhance <strong>the</strong>ir production capacity.
Keywords: Innovation, agro-processing, SMEs, business success,
Schumpeter’s entrepreneurship perspective
Entrepreneurs and <strong>the</strong> Choice Process for Business
Partners
Scott Erickson
Ithaca College, Ithaca, USA
Abstract: This paper will report on research into how entrepreneurs and
small businesspeople choose external business partners. If expertise is
not already present in a start-up business, entrepreneurs must bring it in
by partnering with bankers, accountants, lawyers, and insurers. In order
to uncover how this happens, interviews are being conducted with
Canadian entrepreneurs. The interview structure follows <strong>the</strong> steps <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
buying process modeled in <strong>the</strong> marketing literature, covering need
recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, purchase, and
post-purchase behavior. In particular, <strong>the</strong> research focuses on
information sources, how entrepreneurs learn <strong>of</strong> potential partners and
ga<strong>the</strong>r recommendations/opinions.
Keywords: Entrepreneur, small business, external business partners,
buying process, Canada
Location Determining Factors <strong>of</strong> Rural and Urban
Knowledge Intensive Business Services: Empirical
Evidence
Cristina Fernandes 1 , João Ferreira 2 and Carla Marques 3
1 Docente no Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração de
Leiria (ISLA), University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior (UBI) and NECE –
Research Unit, Portugal
2 Department <strong>of</strong> Management and Economics and NECE – Research
Unit, University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal
3 Department <strong>of</strong> Economics, Sociology and Management and
CETRAD – Research Unit, University <strong>of</strong> Trás-os-Montes and Alto
Douro (UTAD), Portugal
Abstract: Entrepreneurial activities in <strong>the</strong> knowledge intensive business
services (KIBS) sector have attracted growing levels <strong>of</strong> research
28

interest, due to <strong>the</strong> added value that <strong>the</strong>y endow on <strong>the</strong> economy. The
research aims to analyse <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial dimension to KIBS through
<strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> those factors determining <strong>the</strong> choice <strong>of</strong> location
between rural and urban areas and also to identify <strong>the</strong> regional factors
driving and inhibiting this choice <strong>of</strong> location. The findings reveal
economic conditions and local infrastructures, access to technologically
superior knowledge, and local characteristics as main factors
determining <strong>the</strong> choice <strong>of</strong> KIBS location. This paper adds to <strong>the</strong>
understanding towards advancing academic studies on <strong>the</strong> location and
KIBS entrepreneurship ongoing in rural areas as well as <strong>the</strong> framework
for entrepreneurial support policies targeting such areas.
Keywords: entrepreneurship; knowledge intensive business services;
location factors
The Role <strong>of</strong> Business Opportunity Prototype at
Recognition and Decision Stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Process
Sílvia Fernandes Costa, António Caetano and Susana Correia
Santos
Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisboa, Portugal
Abstract: The present study aims to understand how individuals use <strong>the</strong>
cognitive framework (prototype) <strong>of</strong> business opportunities at two different
stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial process: recognizing business opportunity,
and making <strong>the</strong> decision to exploit that opportunity. The methodology
used is based on a scenario approach, with real business opportunities
created from a “connect <strong>the</strong> dots” perspective using <strong>the</strong> dimensions <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> business opportunity prototype presented by Baron and Ensley
(2006). The study is experimental with a 2 x 3 design: 2 (scenario A and
B) X 3 (business’ characteristics: solves customers’ problems, positive
cash flow and manageable risk) with an analysis between subjects.
Results show how individuals use <strong>the</strong> business opportunity prototype in
<strong>the</strong> two stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial process. In both <strong>the</strong> business
opportunity recognition stage, and <strong>the</strong> decision to launch a venture
stage, attention is given initially to manageable risk. The second focus <strong>of</strong>
attention, however, is different: at <strong>the</strong> recognition stage it is on cash flow
(first stage: M Manageable Risk > M Cash Flow > M Solves Customers
Problems), and at <strong>the</strong> deciding to exploit <strong>the</strong> opportunity stage it is on
meeting customers’ needs (in second stage: M Manageable Risk= > M
Solves Customers Problems> M Cash Flow). These results make an
important contribution to our understanding <strong>of</strong> how individuals recognize
business opportunities and how <strong>the</strong>y evaluate <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong>
29

those opportunities according to a prototype framework. Risk plays a
fundamental role in <strong>the</strong> analysis and whereas at <strong>the</strong> first stage money
and pr<strong>of</strong>it are <strong>the</strong> second most highly considered factor, when it comes
to actually launching <strong>the</strong> venture (decision making) customers take all
<strong>the</strong> individuals’ attention. Entrepreneurship plays such an important role
in society nowadays that efforts to understand how business
opportunities are recognized are highly relevant. This work provides an
interesting contribution to <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship as it explains
how individuals use prototypical dimensions and how this analysis is
done at two different stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> process.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, cognitive <strong>the</strong>ory, entrepreneurial process,
recognition <strong>of</strong> business opportunities
Exploring <strong>the</strong> Synergy Between Total Quality Management
and Innovation
António Fernandes, Luís Lourenço and Maria Jose Silva
Beira Interior University, Covilhã, Portugal
Abstract: This paper aims to analyse <strong>the</strong> relationship between total
quality management (TQM) and innovation, and <strong>the</strong> relationships
between <strong>the</strong>se variables and organizational performance. The literature
reviewed indicates some disagreement among <strong>the</strong> authors that have
studied <strong>the</strong> relationship between TQM and Innovation. Some consider,
total quality management as a support for innovation. O<strong>the</strong>rs concluded
that total quality management practices do not directly improve
innovation. Even though <strong>the</strong>re is no consensus on <strong>the</strong> relationship
between TQM and organizational performance, most researchers
concluded that performance can be improved through TQM practices.
Regarding <strong>the</strong> relation between innovation and organizational
performance, <strong>the</strong>re has been a consensual opinion, among researchers,
supporting a direct positive relationship. Based on <strong>the</strong> literature
reviewed, a global conceptual model, that encompasses <strong>the</strong> different
relationships, is proposed. This model needs to be tested, but it is
expected that it will help finding alternative ways <strong>of</strong> improving
organizational performance.
Keywords: total quality management; innovation; organizational
performance
30

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Small Businesses
Owners: The Comparative Experiences <strong>of</strong> Women and Men
Sandra Fielden and Marilyn Davidson
Manchester Business School, UK
Abstract: This study explores <strong>the</strong> comparative differences between
BAME women and men in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir motivation to establish and
operate small businesses and how cultural and social factors (including
racism/sexism) impact on <strong>the</strong>ir experiences. Quantitative survey data
was collected from women (n = 139) and men (n = 126) from 5 different
ethnic backgrounds in North West England. Specific factors arising from
ethnicity and gender are identified and <strong>the</strong> findings show that women
from all ethnic backgrounds are more disadvantaged than ei<strong>the</strong>r BAME
male or White females, experiencing <strong>the</strong> double effects <strong>of</strong> prejudice
related to traditional sex roles and racism. The paper demonstrates <strong>the</strong>
complexity <strong>of</strong> researching BAME business owners, as both gender and
ethnicity has a significant influence on <strong>the</strong>ir motivations and experiences
as business owners. BAME women and men may share similar issues
but <strong>the</strong>y do not necessarily experience those issues in <strong>the</strong> same way.
Keywords: ethnic women, black women, Asian women, motivation,
business ownership
An Entrepreneurship Training Program that works: Ahikaa
Dennis Foley 1 , Sir Ngatata Love 2 and Dr. Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Love3
1 University <strong>of</strong> Newcastle, Australia
2 Victoria University <strong>of</strong> Wellington, New Zealand
3 Ahikaa Entrepreneurship New Zealand Trust, New Zealand
Abstract: For <strong>the</strong> millions <strong>of</strong> ethnic minorities and Indigenous minorities’
worldwide effective entrepreneurship education is paramount in <strong>the</strong>ir
endeavours to obtain social acceptance and financial independence. A
key to successful entrepreneurship education for Indigenous and
minority populations is <strong>the</strong> pedagogical approach, <strong>the</strong> relevance <strong>of</strong>
content, and how <strong>the</strong> program is delivered. This paper follows a Māori
organisation in Wellington that has adapted a successful New York
based program founded by Steve Mariotti in 1987 called NFTE <strong>the</strong>
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Ahikaa takes NFTE and
delivers it successfully within a Māori pedagogical model to a student
population that mainstream training ignores because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir age,
gender, poverty, gang affiliation, previous incarceration or <strong>the</strong>y are
classified by <strong>the</strong> dominant society as socially dysfunctional. This is a
story <strong>of</strong> hope, it’s about Ahikaa; an organisation that approaches
31

entrepreneurial training as capacity building that commences with
building self-esteem, reinforcing cultural identity and generating
economic ‘smarts’. It works and this is <strong>the</strong>ir story.
Keywords: Indigenous entrepreneurship education; Indigenous
Education; Indigenous entrepreneurship; Pedagogy
Innovation Performance, Innovation Capacity and Growth
in Small Enterprises: an Enterprise-Level Analysis
Helena Forsman
The University <strong>of</strong> Winchester, Winchester Business School, UK
Abstract: The aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to identify <strong>the</strong> factors that are
associated with <strong>the</strong> innovation performance <strong>of</strong> small enterprises having
fewer than 50 employees. The empirical evidence is based on two
quantitative datasets describing innovation performance, innovation
capacity and growth in small enterprises. The first dataset consists <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
self-reported data <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> innovation capacity and innovation performance
<strong>of</strong> small enterprises. The second dataset covering <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> four
years comprises <strong>the</strong> annual key figures <strong>of</strong> enterprises. After removing
<strong>the</strong> cases with missing and extreme values, <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong>
enterprises is 296. The descriptive statistics and non-parametric
methods are used in <strong>the</strong> analysis. The results suggest that <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> enterprise and <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong> innovation capacity is associated with
innovation performance. The enterprises characterised by radical and
diversified innovation development are younger than <strong>the</strong> non-innovators
or <strong>the</strong> incremental innovators. As regards innovation capacity, <strong>the</strong>
degree <strong>of</strong> capacity increases while <strong>the</strong> innovation performance pr<strong>of</strong>ile
shifts from <strong>the</strong> non-innovator characterised by low innovation
performance towards <strong>the</strong> diversified innovator characterised by high
innovation performance. Instead, <strong>the</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> this study reveal only a
weak, statistically insignificant relationship between growth and
innovation performance. In summary, this study provides two
contributions to academic literature. First, it crystallises <strong>the</strong> relationship
between innovation performance, innovation capacity and growth in
small enterprises. Second, <strong>the</strong> results deepen <strong>the</strong> existing literature by
providing a detailed view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> different kinds <strong>of</strong>
innovation performers. The paper recommends also some implications
and provides ideas for future research.
Keywords: innovation capacity; growth; performance; small enterprises
32

The Role <strong>of</strong> Networks for Small Technology-Based Firms
Mário Franco 1 and Heiko Haase 2
1 University <strong>of</strong> Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
2 University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences Jena, Jena, Germany
Abstract: The value <strong>of</strong> cooperation is widely recognised as an integral
part <strong>of</strong> small technology-based firms’ (STBFs) success; however, <strong>the</strong>re
is a lack <strong>of</strong> research regarding <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> networks for <strong>the</strong>se
firms. The objective <strong>of</strong> our study is to overcome this void by applying <strong>the</strong>
systemic evolution model (Yli-Renko and Autio 1998). Therefore, we
performed multiple exploratory case studies in three Portuguese STBFs.
We found that <strong>the</strong> firms have achieved different levels <strong>of</strong> embeddedness
in <strong>the</strong>ir cooperation networks, which is linked with <strong>the</strong>ir growth level. As
an important driver for deepening <strong>the</strong> networks we found <strong>the</strong> existence
<strong>of</strong> patents. We deduct that <strong>the</strong> STBFs’ future as disseminators <strong>of</strong>
technology will continue to depend on cooperation networks.
Keywords: network embeddedness; technological networks; systemic
evolution model; small technology-based firms; patents; exploratory
case study; Portugal
Creating an Index <strong>of</strong> Local S<strong>of</strong>tware Economy Maturity:
Driving Innovation and Productivity
Malcolm Fraser, Jennifer Harrison and Stephen Kelly
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia
Abstract: Twenty-first century innovation is frequently reliant in whole or
part on <strong>the</strong> development or application <strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware solutions. However
while <strong>the</strong>re has been a significant amount <strong>of</strong> analysis undertaken to
determine <strong>the</strong> drivers and character <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ICT sector, <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware
segment <strong>of</strong> this sector has received limited analysis. In this paper a
model is developed that assesses <strong>the</strong> maturity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware segment
within nations using a local s<strong>of</strong>tware economy model that is in part
validated through its demonstrated correlation with gross domestic
product (GDP) and <strong>the</strong> Network Readiness Index (NRI). The
components <strong>of</strong> our model provide a focus for policy and economic
development practitioners by highlighting mechanisms through which
development <strong>of</strong> a s<strong>of</strong>tware segment can be facilitated and suggests an
iterative relationship between s<strong>of</strong>tware segment development and a
nation’s GDP growth that requires fur<strong>the</strong>r enquiry.
Keywords: ICT, Innovation, s<strong>of</strong>tware, productivity
33

What we have Learned About Time in Corporate
Entrepreneurship Research: Some Growth
Recommendations From Transition Economy
Bartłomiej Gabryś and Mariusz Bratnicki
University <strong>of</strong> Economics, Katowice, Poland
Abstract: Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research considers resources as <strong>the</strong> most
important factor <strong>of</strong> firm growth, but quite <strong>of</strong>ten we miss one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most
important one – time. The main objective <strong>of</strong> this paper is to advance our
understanding <strong>of</strong> time in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> corporate entrepreneurship
research when growth is considered as final aim. Most studies <strong>of</strong> time
take it for granted in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial growth. We suggest
considering time as essential for understanding <strong>of</strong> corporate
entrepreneurship, where <strong>the</strong> problem is rooted in <strong>the</strong> reconciliation <strong>of</strong>
time contradictions pictured by what we called “time wheel <strong>of</strong> corporate
entrepreneurship”. Our conceptual model is supported empirically. We
present results from a survey carried out in 2008 on <strong>the</strong> sample <strong>of</strong> 199
organizations operating in Poland. The results support <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong>
five separate time contradictions: nature <strong>of</strong> time; structure <strong>of</strong> time;
temporal frame <strong>of</strong> reference; experience <strong>of</strong> time; and time flow. We
focus on <strong>the</strong> relations between time contradictions and corporate
entrepreneurship understood from <strong>the</strong> perspectives <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial
management and entrepreneurial orientation. We argue that
organizations that take into consideration our concept into management
practice, will achieve higher effectiveness.
Keywords: corporate entrepreneurship, time, growth
Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Middle
Belt States <strong>of</strong> Nigeria
Cephas Gbande
Department <strong>of</strong> Business Administration, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Administration,
Nasarawa State University, Keffi-Nigeria
Abstract: Conventional enterprise development <strong>the</strong>ory holds that
entrepreneurship spirit and initiatives lead to enterprise development. As
such entrepreneurship has received and receiving more attention from
policymakers and experts all over <strong>the</strong> world. The birth <strong>of</strong> new dynamic
businesses is known to contribute to economic development through
conversion <strong>of</strong> innovative ideas into economic opportunities,
competitiveness and revitalisation <strong>of</strong> social and productive networks as
well as a source <strong>of</strong> new employment. Yet entrepreneurship spirit and
34

initiatives are not enough, as entrepreneurship needs an enabling
environment to thrive. This appears to be <strong>the</strong> case in many developed
economies such as Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and USA as
examples dynamic and vibrant entrepreneurship environments. This
paper shows that emerging economies and low income countries such
as Nigeria have not benefits from entrepreneurship practice and
enterprise development remains weak. With <strong>the</strong> dilemma <strong>of</strong> slow growth
<strong>of</strong> Nigerian enterprise and economy, a survey research is carried out to
learn <strong>the</strong> mitigating factors against <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> Nigerian entrepreneurs
using a 5 point Likert scale measure with (=1) Strongly Agree and (=5)
Strongly Disagree. These were analysed using SPSS to establish <strong>the</strong>
relationship between environmental conditions and <strong>the</strong> prosperity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurship. Analysis <strong>of</strong> various government enterprise driving
schemes such as Community Banks, Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Agency <strong>of</strong> Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Directorate <strong>of</strong>
Employment (NDE) and Micr<strong>of</strong>inance have produced little impact. The
study examined <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> Nigerian entrepreneurs and
practices by interviewing owners businesses at various stages <strong>of</strong> growth
in different types <strong>of</strong> businesses, randomly selected. From <strong>the</strong>oretical
perspective a business <strong>of</strong> any size needs to have formal structures such
as marketing, production, finance and human relations even if <strong>the</strong>se are
run by an individual alone and must be separated from <strong>the</strong> individual.
The study found that <strong>the</strong>se elements were predominantly absence in
most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> businesses we interviewed. O<strong>the</strong>r obstacles that affect
entrepreneurs elsewhere in <strong>the</strong> world were also present, but quality <strong>of</strong>
management, succession planning and erratic utilities provisions (power,
telecommunications, roads, water, and education) mount a major barrier
against <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurship and enterprise growth in <strong>the</strong> Middle Belt <strong>of</strong>
Nigeria.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development, SME;
Micr<strong>of</strong>inance
Strategic Management in Public Enterprise Based on
Corporate Entrepreneurship Model: The Nigerian
Experience
Cephas Gbande and Helen Elena Jekelle-Mohammed
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
Abstract: Strategic management, a field developed in <strong>the</strong> private sector
deals with <strong>the</strong> major intended and emergent initiatives taken by business
leadership to enhance <strong>the</strong> performance <strong>of</strong> firms. It entails specifying <strong>the</strong>
organisation’s vision, mission and objectives; <strong>the</strong>n developing policies
35

and plans which are designed to achieve <strong>the</strong>se objectives through
allocating resources in <strong>the</strong> most optimal ways. The achievement or
o<strong>the</strong>rwise <strong>of</strong> mission and objectives is dependent on a number <strong>of</strong> factors
including quality <strong>of</strong> management, governance, monitoring and evaluation
<strong>of</strong> performance outcomes. The public sector management however is
new to this way <strong>of</strong> thinking, particularly in <strong>the</strong> developing countries such
as Nigeria. The late 1970s through 1980s and 1990s witnessed <strong>the</strong>
introduction <strong>of</strong> strategic management in Europe and USA to improve
government service <strong>of</strong>ferings. The United Kingdom for example
streamlined civil service along market principles with significant
improvement in performance and reduction in operational costs. These
are <strong>the</strong> measurable benefits <strong>of</strong> strategic planning in <strong>the</strong> public sector.
The evidence from Nigeria appears to differ significantly compared with
developed countries and <strong>the</strong> nation has not benefited from <strong>the</strong> benefits
<strong>of</strong> strategic planning, which have been employed with significant
success and reduced bureaucracy in developed nations. Due to this
failure, <strong>the</strong>re is large-scale wastage <strong>of</strong> resources and abysmal
performance in <strong>the</strong> public enterprise in Nigeria with <strong>the</strong> resultant effect
that a nation with huge resources and potential is home to largest
population <strong>of</strong> poor people in Africa. This paper argues that in order to
improve service delivery as well as optimise costs, <strong>the</strong> Nigerian
Government would need to adopt strategic management in its public
enterprise with active monitoring and evaluation mechanism. We fur<strong>the</strong>r
argue that <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> strategic management is likely to encourage
accountability and <strong>the</strong> issues <strong>of</strong> good governance as well as democratic
processes in <strong>the</strong> country. Such a process will help in creating an
enabling environment that would enhance <strong>the</strong> relationship between
public and private sector organisations as <strong>the</strong>y very much depend on
one ano<strong>the</strong>r. Overall direction will be set for macro-economic framework
and economic institutions that would be seamlessly linked, creating
conducive environment for higher productivity, performance, and
reduction <strong>of</strong> extreme poverty and hunger.
Keywords: strategic management, public enterprise, performance, good
governance, corporate entrepreneurship, economic growth, monitoring
and evaluation, poverty
36

The role <strong>of</strong> Emotional Intelligence in <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Intention <strong>of</strong> University Students
Parvaneh Gelard 1 and Korosh EmamiSaleh 2
1 Management Islamic Azad University, south Tehran branch, Iran
2 Islamic Azad University Saveh Branch, Iran
Abstract: Entrepreneurship is <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> discovery, evaluation and
exploitation <strong>of</strong> opportunities to create future goods and services.
Individuals with certain personality traits may be more attracted to <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial form <strong>of</strong> employment than o<strong>the</strong>rs may be. Successful
entrepreneurship requires a blend <strong>of</strong> analytical, creative, and practical
aspects <strong>of</strong> intelligence, which, in combination, constitute successful
intelligence. Successful intelligence is <strong>the</strong> ability to succeed in life,
according to one’s own conception <strong>of</strong> success, within one’s
environmental context. Thus, success is defined in terms <strong>of</strong> personal
goals. People succeed by identifying <strong>the</strong>ir strengths and capitalizing on
<strong>the</strong>m and by identifying <strong>the</strong>ir weaknesses and ei<strong>the</strong>r correcting or
compensating for <strong>the</strong>m. They do so by adapting to, shaping, and
selecting environments. That is, sometimes <strong>the</strong>y change <strong>the</strong>mselves to
fit <strong>the</strong> environment; o<strong>the</strong>r times, <strong>the</strong>y change <strong>the</strong> environment to fit <strong>the</strong>m;
still o<strong>the</strong>r times, <strong>the</strong>y find a different environment if <strong>the</strong> one <strong>the</strong>y are in is
not adequate for <strong>the</strong>m. Indeed, many entrepreneurs become
entrepreneurs because <strong>the</strong>y have been dissatisfied with business
environments in which <strong>the</strong>y have worked. In <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand Individuals
with certain personality traits may find entrepreneurship activities more
satisfying and thus may persist long enough to actually establish <strong>the</strong>
new venture and become an entrepreneur. So it seems that Emotional
intelligence that one <strong>of</strong> personality characteristics is related with
entrepreneurial intention. The aim <strong>of</strong> this article understands <strong>the</strong> relation
between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial intention <strong>of</strong>
university students. For this purpose we used sample <strong>of</strong> 300 students
from Islamic Azad University South Tehran Branch. And we get benefit
from regression analyze to reach results. The questionnaire <strong>of</strong> this study
is consisting <strong>of</strong> 18 questions and <strong>the</strong> reliabilities <strong>of</strong> this questionnaire
were tested by Cronbach’s alpha. The Results indicate that emotional
intelligence correlate with entrepreneurial intention <strong>of</strong> university
students. Also <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> each factors <strong>of</strong> emotional intelligence was
evaluated and <strong>the</strong> results were reported.
Keywords: entrepreneurial intention, emotional intelligence,
entrepreneurship
37

Modelling Innovations in Maternity Care Based Upon
Uncertain Evidence
Alan Gillies, Alison Holbourn, and Karen Shawhan
Hope Street Centre, Liverpool Science Park, Liverpool, UK
Abstract: Maternity care in <strong>the</strong> UK is <strong>of</strong>ten midwife-led with medical
intervention only required when complications or o<strong>the</strong>r adverse events
occur. In spite <strong>of</strong> this, most maternity care is still organised through
hospitals and obstetrician led teams. Some midwives and also some
mo<strong>the</strong>rs have called for alternative models <strong>of</strong> care to be made available
on <strong>the</strong> NHS. In an article in <strong>the</strong> British Medical Journal in 2009 (Symon
et al, 2009), <strong>the</strong>re is some evidence that holistic care led by an
independent midwife can bring benefits to both mo<strong>the</strong>r and baby. On <strong>the</strong>
o<strong>the</strong>r hand, some respondents to <strong>the</strong> article point to methodological
flaws in <strong>the</strong> study. O<strong>the</strong>rs object to <strong>the</strong> whole process on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong>
increased risk if something should go wrong. Commissioners <strong>of</strong> health
care services, shortly to change from <strong>the</strong> local Primary Care Trust to
consortia <strong>of</strong> GPs are required to base decisions about which type <strong>of</strong>
service to commission based upon <strong>the</strong> best possible evidence. However,
all evidence comes with an associated degree <strong>of</strong> uncertainty. Therefore
<strong>the</strong> authors set out to establish:
• What is <strong>the</strong> most likely cost/benefit scenario for maternity
services?
• How can we model <strong>the</strong> uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> process?
• How can we provide a tool to help commissioners arrive at <strong>the</strong>
best possible evidence-based decision?
This article provides an approach to supporting decision making about
introducing an innovation based upon <strong>the</strong> best possible evidence which
still contains significant uncertainty and a degree <strong>of</strong> risk to patients. It
demonstrates how a decision support tool was developed to help
commissioners decide whe<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>of</strong>fer some mo<strong>the</strong>rs an alternative
holistic service delivered by independent midwives, and to allow <strong>the</strong>m to
build in <strong>the</strong>ir own judgement as to <strong>the</strong> uncertainty associated with <strong>the</strong>
evidence. It seeks to show that innovation in health care delivery,
although it seeks to use <strong>the</strong> best possible evidence must acknowledge
that <strong>the</strong> best possible evidence may not be decisive, and that decisions
need to reflect that uncertainty.
Keywords: Maternity services, Economic modelling, Turning evidence
into policy
38

The Competitive Advantages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Romanian
Entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> Foreign Trade Sector
Adriana Giurgiu, Mihai Berinde and Adrian Negrea
University <strong>of</strong> Oradea, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Economic Sciences, Research
Centre for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development
(CCCDD), International Business Department
Abstract: Trade development represents an opportunity for <strong>the</strong>
economic growth <strong>of</strong> a country or region. This is <strong>the</strong> key to <strong>European</strong>
Union economic competitiveness and is linked to its development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Common Trade Policy. Given <strong>the</strong> fact that Romania is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> newest
EU Member States, and given its background, <strong>the</strong> object <strong>of</strong> this study is
<strong>the</strong> competitive advantage <strong>of</strong> Romanian Entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> foreign
trade sector. Romania did not hesitate to pursue <strong>European</strong> integration
after <strong>the</strong> communist bloc collapsed and was determined to join <strong>the</strong>
largest commercial union <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world (<strong>the</strong> EU) as soon as possible. The
country did so in 2007 and began participating as member in <strong>the</strong> market
with <strong>the</strong> largest free trade agreement portfolio in <strong>the</strong> world. The purpose
<strong>of</strong> our research is to analyze economic growth effects in Romania as a
result <strong>of</strong> EU integration, in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>ound economic reforms that
were required to do so (initiated in 1990), out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> need for <strong>the</strong> fastest
integration in <strong>the</strong> EU, and <strong>the</strong> Romania’s re-integration in <strong>the</strong>
international trade. Our research involves determining and quantifying
<strong>the</strong> strong and weak points <strong>of</strong> Romanian foreign trade in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong>
<strong>European</strong> integration, and <strong>the</strong> challenges faced by Romanian
entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> foreign trade sector. The foreign trade analysis
attempted to in this paper is based on a unitary system <strong>of</strong> indexes –
foreign trade volume, export volume, import volume, export volume per
inhabitant and related, computed for <strong>the</strong> Romanian external trade
compared with those <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU, as a total, during <strong>the</strong> analyzed period.
These have been carefully calculated and selected, pointing out
advantages and disadvantages <strong>of</strong> each indicator from <strong>the</strong> perspective <strong>of</strong>
country and region-specific characteristics over <strong>the</strong> study period. The
main conclusions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> paper are that Romanian entrepreneurs register
competitive advantages for some groups <strong>of</strong> products in <strong>the</strong> foreign trade
sector, such as <strong>the</strong> agricultural bioproducts, <strong>the</strong> (balneo and extrem)
tourism, high-tech products (machines and equipments, vehicles and
associated transport equipments, machinery and mechanical
appliances; electrical equipments; sound and image recorders and
reproducers), informatics (s<strong>of</strong>t and programming), foot wear products
etc., but in order to acquire <strong>the</strong>se competitive advantages, it is
compulsory that <strong>the</strong> Romanian entrepreneurs to redirect <strong>the</strong>ir exports
39

toward <strong>the</strong> ACP countries and o<strong>the</strong>r from Africa, and toward Middle
East, and even toward Latin America. Imports should be orientated
toward <strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong> technological capabilities aimed at enhancing
production capacities, in order to ensure export competitiveness in
medium and long term, while maximizing <strong>the</strong> advantages <strong>of</strong>fered by <strong>the</strong>
EU Common Trade Policy.
Keywords: internationalization strategies; competitive advantages;
Romanian entrepreneurs; external trade; macro-economic growth <strong>the</strong>ory
The Models <strong>of</strong> Innovative Behaviour in Europe and Russia
Oleg Golichenko and Yulia Balycheva
Central Economics and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics Institute <strong>of</strong> Russian Academy
<strong>of</strong> Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Abstract: In <strong>the</strong> paper <strong>the</strong> models that typically present innovative
behaviour are determined on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> dynamics <strong>of</strong>
innovative process. The objects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> investigation are regions which
are subjects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Russian Federation or countries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong>
Union. The influence <strong>of</strong> properties and nature <strong>of</strong> innovative behaviour
models on such characteristics <strong>of</strong> environment as well-being and human
resources in R&D is studied. It is found out that <strong>the</strong> main factor <strong>of</strong>
increasing innovation activity will be <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> well-being level if it
is low enough. If <strong>the</strong> well-being level achieves <strong>the</strong> certain value, its
influence on firms’ choice <strong>of</strong> innovative behaviour model is diminished.
In this case <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> human resources in R&D determines mainly <strong>the</strong>
type <strong>of</strong> innovative behaviour. It is shown that those regions which are at
<strong>the</strong> lowest level <strong>of</strong> economic well-being are forced to rely mainly on
formally closed innovations. The improvements <strong>of</strong> welfare level give an
opportunity <strong>of</strong> shifting to open innovations. The greater increase <strong>of</strong> wellbeing
stimulates to introduce more complex modes <strong>of</strong> innovative
behaviour. In this case <strong>the</strong> product diffusion is ra<strong>the</strong>r significant and
innovations have mainly product type. Increase in both welfare and
research facility supports introducing new or significant improved
products. The growth <strong>of</strong> research potential moves a balance <strong>of</strong>
innovations to in-house ones. The degree <strong>of</strong> product novelty and <strong>the</strong>
scale <strong>of</strong> product diffusion are high. When <strong>the</strong> maximum level <strong>of</strong> human
resource in R&D and well-being are achieved, <strong>the</strong> innovative behaviour
mode is based on introducing basic innovations and expanding <strong>the</strong>m to
outside market. It is found out that <strong>the</strong> role functions <strong>of</strong> enterprises can
vary during time period. These changes can have a periodic character
and attached to certain stages <strong>of</strong> innovation cycles. The cycles
40

corresponds to different modes <strong>of</strong> behaviour and may differ both in
duration and substance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir stages.
Keywords: behaviour models, welfare level, research facilities,
innovation cycles
A new Model <strong>of</strong> Factors That Influence Innovation
Activities – Application to Basque Country Innovative
Companies
Álvaro Gómez Vieites, Carlos Suárez Rey and Begoña Pereira Otero
Novacaixagalicia Business School, University <strong>of</strong> Vigo, Spain
Abstract: The main goal <strong>of</strong> this research is to study <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> several
factors and firms’ resources that could have had an impact on <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> innovative activities <strong>of</strong> Basque Country innovative
companies, exploring how <strong>the</strong>se factors can help to achieve success
through innovation and improving business performance. We propose a
new model to analyse <strong>the</strong> relationships between a set <strong>of</strong> organizational,
technological, financial and information-based resources, as well as
o<strong>the</strong>r aspects such as cooperation between companies. We employ a
Structural Equation Model and <strong>the</strong> PLS technique in order to validate <strong>the</strong>
<strong>the</strong>oretical model proposed in this research. The data come from <strong>the</strong>
Spanish National Statistics Institute´s Survey on Firms Technological
Innovation. The sample is composed by 881 observations referred to
firms that have carried out innovation activities in <strong>the</strong> Basque Country
(one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most developed regions in Spain). The main results show
that cooperation, human resources, contingent factors (type <strong>of</strong> market
and industry technological level) and financial resources affect positively
R+D activities. At <strong>the</strong> same time information management, technological
resources, contingent factors and R&D have a positive effect on
innovation. Finally, R+D activities, innovation results (product, service
and process innovation) and information management have a positive
influence on business results.
Keywords: innovation activities; information management; technology
management; R&D investment; R&D personnel; PLS; Structural
Equation Model (SEM)
41

Innovation and Competitive Advantage in Mexican Firms
Mario Gómez and José Carlos Rodríguez
Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Empresariales, Morelia,
Mexico
Abstract: This research gets insight on <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> competitive
advantage in emerging economies. The new realm characterizing
markets allows for <strong>the</strong> possibility to find sustained or temporary
competitive advantage across firms that in turn affects <strong>the</strong>ir performance
and innovative capabilities. The leading hypo<strong>the</strong>sis in strategic
management suggests that firms’ sustained superior performance arises
from sustained or temporary competitive advantage. In this sense, some
scholars have argued that firms in hypercompetitive markets should be
able to develop temporary competitive advantage. The possibility to find
(sustained or temporary) competitive advantage and dynamic
capabilities allow thus for an accurate explanation on firm performance.
Dynamic capabilities are likely to be essential to <strong>the</strong> survival <strong>of</strong> firms in
industrial environments which can be characterized as hypercompetitive
that allow for temporary competitive advantage. In emerging economies,
local firms should be engaged in developing <strong>the</strong>ir own dynamic
capabilities and competitive advantages if <strong>the</strong>y want to successfully
compete in markets. This research inquires about <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong>
competitive advantage and firm performance in emerging economies.
The Law <strong>of</strong> Proportionate Effects served as a referent model to explain
growth dynamics <strong>of</strong> firms. We test for <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Law <strong>of</strong>
Proportionate Effects given <strong>the</strong> possibility to find competitive advantages
into Mexican firms. The research is developed in two steps. We test
firstly for <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gibrat's Law (dynamic capabilities) through
applying three different panel unit root tests to data from industrial
sectors in Mexico. Second, we test for <strong>the</strong> existence or not <strong>of</strong> sustained
competitive advantages into Mexican firms. The <strong>the</strong>oretical approach
adopted in this research supports <strong>the</strong> idea that dynamic capabilities are
more likely to be developed in industrial sectors where local firms are
more abundant. Evidence supports <strong>the</strong> idea that multinational firms in
emerging markets would be just transferring <strong>the</strong>ir own capabilities to
<strong>the</strong>ir local subsidiaries to compete in <strong>the</strong>se markets.
Keywords: dynamic capabilities, competitive advantage, Law <strong>of</strong>
Proportionate Effects, panel unit root tests, Mexico
42

Knowledge Management and Open Innovation in a
Bioengineering Research Case
Manel González-Piñero, Elena López Cano, Miguel Ángel Mañanas
Villanueva, Juan Ramos Castro and Pere Caminal Magrans
Technical University <strong>of</strong> Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Abstract: One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> missions <strong>of</strong> University is <strong>the</strong> transfer <strong>of</strong>
technologies to <strong>the</strong> industry in order to be pr<strong>of</strong>itable for <strong>the</strong> society, in
terms <strong>of</strong> economy, productivity and social advances. The Bioengineering
case study that we expose has completed all <strong>the</strong> steps <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Valorisation chain: detection, selection, evaluation, protection and
commercialization. In this process we show how <strong>the</strong> interaction between
researchers, IP managers and business development managers is
significant to know <strong>the</strong> market requirements and to direct <strong>the</strong> research
efforts towards <strong>the</strong> market necessities; that is why <strong>the</strong> last step <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
design is a commercialization planning to explode <strong>the</strong> technology. In this
case, <strong>the</strong> goal is to find an industrialized partner interested in producing
<strong>the</strong> clinical validated prototype following all <strong>the</strong> EC regulations. The
knowledge selected to advance in <strong>the</strong> value chain before being
transferred to <strong>the</strong> market is a technology <strong>of</strong> a Bi<strong>of</strong>eedback equipment for
urinary incontinence. These devices for <strong>the</strong> treatment <strong>of</strong> urinary
incontinence have <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> generating (and also recording for
fur<strong>the</strong>r analysis) signals directly related to <strong>the</strong> activity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pelvic floor
muscles. Although a few instruments use <strong>the</strong> exerted pressure as <strong>the</strong>
measured signal, <strong>the</strong> most frequently employed signal is <strong>the</strong> electrical
activity associated to <strong>the</strong> muscle contractions or electromyogram (EMG).
Keywords: bioengineering, bi<strong>of</strong>eedback, entrepreneurship, marketing in
higher education, technology transfer, knowledge transfer, valorisation
process
Social and Symbolic Capital in Firm Clusters: An Empirical
Investigation <strong>of</strong> Relational Resources and Innovation
Capabilities
Susanne Gretzinger and Susanne Royer
Department <strong>of</strong> Border Region Studies; University <strong>of</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn
Denmark / Sønderborg
Institute <strong>of</strong> International Management; University <strong>of</strong> Flensburg /
Germany
Abstract: Research is accentuating <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> social and
symbolic capital as a significant resource for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong>
43

networks or clusters. The question, how to describe and operationalise
social and symbolic capital in firm clusters, and <strong>the</strong> impact on <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> innovation capabilities have been neglected until now.
Based on a relational perspective this paper analyses <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
“Mechatronics Cluster” in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Jutland, Denmark. We found that
cluster managers are not aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> social and symbolic
capital. Cluster managers could have access to both but <strong>the</strong>y are not
aware <strong>of</strong> this resource and <strong>the</strong>y don´t have any knowledge how to
manage social and symbolic capital. Just to integrate social-capitalsupporting
initiatives in <strong>the</strong> day to day business would help to develop
and to foster social and symbolic capital on a low cost level. And in our
example just to integrate successful sub-clusters in <strong>the</strong> regional cluster
organisation would streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> innovative capabilities on <strong>the</strong> cluster
and on <strong>the</strong> firm level.Keywords: relational view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm, firm clusters,
value adding web concept, social and symbolic capital
Innovation and Regional Economic Development, in
Romania – Theoretical Aspects
Corina Grigore
Academy <strong>of</strong> Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract: Differences across regions within countries are <strong>of</strong>ten greater
than differences between countries, yet economists, policymakers and
international organizations have paid less attention to regional
development than national growth. Regions should promote <strong>the</strong>ir own
growth by mobilizing local assets and resources so as to capitalize on
<strong>the</strong>ir specific competitive advantages, ra<strong>the</strong>r than depending on national
transfers and subsidies to help <strong>the</strong>m grow. Traditional policies based
only on infrastructure provision or schooling are not sufficient for this
task; instead, a more comprehensive policy is called for, one that
integrated <strong>the</strong>se two policies in a co-ordinated agenda across levels <strong>of</strong>
government and that foster business development and innovation. This
paper aims to look into <strong>the</strong> determinant role <strong>of</strong> innovation at regional
level for potentially explaining <strong>the</strong> variations in growth among regions in
Romania. Innovation positively affects growth just as endogenous <strong>the</strong>ory
suggests.In order to promote growth, policy makers should develop a
comprehensive regional policy that not only links regions through
infrastructure investments, but that also fosters human capital formation
and facilitates <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> innovation. It is necessary to determine <strong>the</strong>
factors are most relevant to generate growth at <strong>the</strong> regional level and
which factors are needed if regions are to reap <strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong>
globalization. The paper provides in <strong>the</strong> first section a literature review
44

on existing studies related to regional development and innovation by
making reference to <strong>the</strong> main <strong>the</strong>ories and works in this area. The
second section provides a brief description <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> methodology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
current study based on growth at regional level in Romania – an
econometric model for regional economic growth will be used – an
analysis <strong>of</strong> patents and research and development expenditure will be
included. Main findings will be presented in a separate paper once all
data is ga<strong>the</strong>red and <strong>the</strong> appropriate model is identified.
Keywords: economic development, regional growth, innovation,
regional innovation system
Impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Family and Non-Family Relational Capital on
<strong>the</strong> Adoption <strong>of</strong> Innovation in Canadian Family
Businesses: a Conceptual Model
Izold Guihur and Vivi K<strong>of</strong>fi
Université de Moncton, Moncton, Canada
Abstract: This project aims at determining <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family and
non-family relational capital on <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovations in family
companies. It is necessary to seize here all <strong>the</strong> interest for innovation in
our knowledge economy, where tangible advantages are not enough
anymore to ensure access to resources and to protect <strong>the</strong> assets.
Innovation determines in large part <strong>the</strong> competitiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firms,
mainly because it facilitates <strong>the</strong>ir distinction, supports <strong>the</strong> renewal <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>fer and induces an organizational flexibility in face <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
increasingly turbulent competing environment. The adoption <strong>of</strong>
innovations, which belongs to this process <strong>of</strong> competing renewal,
depends partly on <strong>the</strong> relational capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company, meaning <strong>the</strong>
whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relations it maintains. Through <strong>the</strong>se relations, <strong>the</strong> firm is
enabled to supplement its resources and competences. The relational
capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm thus reflects it capacity to acquire and exploit external
knowledge in new business opportunity. Never<strong>the</strong>less, relational capital
may also have a ra<strong>the</strong>r stabilizing effect instead <strong>of</strong> being stimulating for
<strong>the</strong> exploration and exploitation <strong>of</strong> knowledge. Indeed, <strong>the</strong> firms
sometimes suffer from an effect <strong>of</strong> isolation from o<strong>the</strong>r sources <strong>of</strong>
knowledge when overly brooded within <strong>the</strong>ir relations. It can be noted
that family businesses, which represent nearly 70% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Canadian
companies and which employ more than half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country labour,
maintain a relational capital made particular because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family
relations. Taking into account <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family businesses’
role and that <strong>of</strong> innovation for <strong>the</strong> Canadian economy, it appears more
45

than relevant to seek a better knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family and
non-family relational capital on <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovations in family
firms. Based on an evolutionist and relational perspective, <strong>the</strong> literature
from relational capital, family business, organizational cooperation,
learning and innovation is reviewed to propose a conceptual model
regarding <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> family and non-family relational capital by family
firms for <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovations. The model suggests that both <strong>the</strong>
family and non-family relational capital support and <strong>the</strong>n stabilize <strong>the</strong>
innovation adoption activity as cooperation links intensify between <strong>the</strong>
family business and local actors. This logarithmic relation is expected to
be steeper and sooner stabilized for <strong>the</strong> subset <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family relational
capital as reciprocity and trust in <strong>the</strong> inter-firm relations arise more
rapidly from family involvement. It is finally expected that higher intensity
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family relational capital not only stabilize but <strong>the</strong>n bring down <strong>the</strong>
level <strong>of</strong> activity in innovation adoption because <strong>of</strong> conservative
pressures exerted by <strong>the</strong> family on <strong>the</strong> business. A glance at future
research describes <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> this model as <strong>the</strong> conceptual framework
for a descriptive study based on a survey <strong>of</strong> Canadian family
businesses.
Keywords: innovation, innovation adoption, relational capital, family
business, family firm, cooperation
New Generation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University’s Strategy Formulation
Processes to Achieve a Competitive Advantage in Egypt
Mahmoud Hassanin
Tomas Bata University, Zlin, Czech Republic
Abstract: Globalization, knowledge revolution and networking are <strong>the</strong>
driving forces <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Knowledge-based economy. In knowledge-based
economy, capturing and leveraging <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> Intellectual Property (IP)
is generally held to be <strong>the</strong> path to sustainable wealth creation and
societal benefits. Economic prosperity depends heavily on exploiting
innovation capacity, improving competitiveness, and enhancing
productivity. University is <strong>the</strong> main source for developing future creative
entrepreneurs and it engages with o<strong>the</strong>r sectors in research and
knowledge transfer. Commercialization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> university’s innovation is
essential for creating added value for <strong>the</strong> university, <strong>the</strong> surrounding
region and <strong>the</strong> whole society. The role <strong>of</strong> university has been enlarged to
include not only teaching and researching but also regional development
under <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial university. In current dynamic era,
universities are facing many challenges such as: internationalization and
massive competition. Meanwhile, most <strong>of</strong> applied strategies in <strong>the</strong>
46

university have failed in <strong>the</strong> talking-doing gap. A top-down approach that
starts with vision/mission statements is an obvious meaning <strong>of</strong>
statements substitute actions. A new generation <strong>of</strong> strategic formulation
processes that mitigates <strong>the</strong> gap should be identified. This research
provides a new formulation process that is called (ABDSD). It is based
on action not a description <strong>of</strong> action. The qualitative methodology has
been used meanly a combination <strong>of</strong> tools such as: (1) Documentation
and (2) Case-studies. Two universities have been chosen as an
example <strong>of</strong> how to analyze and to benchmark <strong>the</strong>ir activities. Then, eight
universities have chosen for applying and validating this methodology.
The feedback from <strong>the</strong> eight universities was highly positive. This
dynamic approach mitigates <strong>the</strong> implementation problems and allows
<strong>the</strong> university to change its strategy successfully to gain a competitive
advantage. The research consists <strong>of</strong> a literature review, strategy
formulation processes, drawing a pr<strong>of</strong>ile for each university’s competitive
advantages, and finally it provides recommendations that enhance <strong>the</strong>
strategy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> university.
Keywords: strategy, strategy formulation process, competitive
advantage, activity map
Identifying Environmental Influencing Factors on <strong>the</strong>
Growth <strong>of</strong> Research-Based Spin-Offs in Iran
Seyed Reza Hejazi 1 , Atefeh Zolfaghari 2 and Arta Farhoudi 3
1, 2
Tehran University, Iran
2
Academic Center for Culture Education and Research in Iran
(ACECR), Enghelab Square, Tehran, Iran
3
Railway department, Research Center <strong>of</strong> Iranian Railway, Abbas
abad, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: Research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies are new firms based on
<strong>the</strong> exploitation <strong>of</strong> research results with <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> transforming <strong>the</strong>ir
technologies into new products and services. Spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies are <strong>the</strong>
building blocks <strong>of</strong> growing knowledge-based economy, and are a key
component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rapid growing sectors in <strong>the</strong> developed world. Recent
studies have been shown that research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies are
generally more successful than o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship. There
are several factors affecting <strong>the</strong> creation and growth <strong>of</strong> spin-<strong>of</strong>f
companies. In this paper <strong>the</strong>se factors have been classified into three
major categories including environmental, personal and organizational
variables. This study focused on investigating environmental factors
affecting on <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> Iranian research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>fs. Incubators,
supporters, marketing, geographic location, access to technology, and
47

networking are some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> environmental factors which has been
studied in this paper. After that all <strong>the</strong> categories divided to
subcategories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se environmental factors. The findings <strong>of</strong> this study,
based on in-depth interviews, indicate that <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> supports and
characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> incubators play an important role on <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong>
research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies in Iran. The results show that
absorbing supports from different resource is so important in growth
stage. Incubators foster <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a spin-<strong>of</strong>f by providing
know-how, advice as well as financial support and networking. Choose a
proper location, proximity to incubator as well as regional factors (e.g.,
access to support, and networking) affect on <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> researchbased
spin-<strong>of</strong>fs. The growth rate is estimated with revenue, venture
capital and <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> employees.
Keywords: research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f, environmental factors, growth,
incubators, support
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Innovation Capacity Building
John Howard
University <strong>of</strong> Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
Abstract: “In a recession, dare to invest aggressively in marketing,
innovation and customer quality”, Roberts (2003). The author, along with
o<strong>the</strong>rs, has previously developed an approach to <strong>the</strong> innovation process
in a variety <strong>of</strong> domains. These have drawn toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> Capability
Maturity Model (CMM) Methodology (1995) with a Competency
Framework based on <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1980) and later
Benner (1984) which ensures that staff are able to provide <strong>the</strong>se
necessary improvements in productivity and service. Previous work has
shown how such an approach can be explicitly used to improve <strong>the</strong>
Innovation Competency <strong>of</strong> staff through an analysis <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>iciency and
tailored education and development programmes (Howard, 2010).
Fundamental to this approach is its reliance on hard data and <strong>the</strong> audit
<strong>of</strong> measurable activity. More recent work has suggested <strong>the</strong> complexity
<strong>of</strong> real world situations requires a more holistic model incorporating
“s<strong>of</strong>ter” aspects. This paper reviews <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> improving <strong>the</strong>
capacity and capability <strong>of</strong> an organisation to innovate and describes an
approach incorporating both hard and s<strong>of</strong>t elements. Finally <strong>the</strong> paper
supports <strong>the</strong> need to develop an increasing emphasis on <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>ter
aspects in order to maximise innovation capacity.
Keywords: models, innovation, competency assessment, education,
s<strong>of</strong>t systems
48

Social Entrepreneurship: Setting Boundaries for a
Conceptual Framework
Xiaoti Hu, Regina Frank and Laurie Cohen
School <strong>of</strong> Business and Economics, Loughborough University, UK
Abstract:Worldwide, social entrepreneurship has been contributing
greatly to <strong>the</strong> economy and society – and will need to continue to do so -
and now firmly holds a place on policymakers’ agenda. Yet in academia,
research on social entrepreneurship is still lagging behind practice.
Despite an increasing interest in social entrepreneurship research, <strong>the</strong>re
continues to be a lack <strong>of</strong> consensus about some fundamental questions
such as what social entrepreneurship really means. Once <strong>the</strong>
boundaries <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurship have been set, it can be
considered as an independent field <strong>of</strong> research, ra<strong>the</strong>r than as a subcategory
<strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r research fields. In this context, <strong>the</strong> aims <strong>of</strong> our paper
are to syn<strong>the</strong>sise <strong>the</strong> current debate on social entrepreneurship, its
conceptualisation, objectives and related discourse, and to develop a
<strong>the</strong>oretical framework for <strong>the</strong> classification <strong>of</strong> it. This paper undertakes a
critical review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current debate onsocial entrepreneurship in <strong>the</strong>
academic literature, with specific reference to <strong>the</strong> approaches to defining
social entrepreneurship on both sides <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Atlantic. It suggests that
social entrepreneurship can be generally understood in four ways,
namely <strong>the</strong> commercial non-pr<strong>of</strong>it approach, <strong>the</strong> social purpose business
approach, <strong>the</strong> third sector approach and <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurship approach.
Although different perceptions do exist in different contexts, we argue
that innovation, social change and sustainability are <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong>
social entrepreneurship. Based on <strong>the</strong>se core ingredients we
differentiate social enterprises from o<strong>the</strong>r concepts and not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it
organisations such ascorporate social responsibility, philanthropy
andNGOs. This paper finally proposes a conceptual framework to
classify different types <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurshipand <strong>the</strong>ir dynamic
relations with <strong>the</strong> private,public and third sectors.
Keywords: Social entrepreneurship, social enterprise, third sector,social
innovation, sustainability
49

Building Technological Innovation Capabilities: Enhancing
Technological Innovation Performance
Hüseyin İnce¹, Salih Zeki İmamoğlu¹, İpek Koçoğlu¹, Zafer Acar² and
Serap Eren³
1 Gebze Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology, Kocaeli-Turkey
2 Okan University, Istanbul-Turkey
3 Turkcell Communication Services PLC, Istanbul-Turkey
Abstract: Technological innovation capabilities (TICs) support firm level
resource integration and technologic innovation strategies by
harmonizing firm’s different competences and organizational assets with
<strong>the</strong> external environment (Yam et al., in press). Prior research on TIC
suggests that <strong>the</strong> effective exploitation <strong>of</strong> firm resources, especially
technological knowledge, and <strong>the</strong> accumulation <strong>of</strong> TIC contributes to
innovation outputs (Yam et al., in press), which in turn has significant
impact on technological innovation performance (TIP) and competitive
advantage. Although some studies in <strong>the</strong> literature presents <strong>the</strong>
relationship between TIC and TIP, <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> TIC on TIP and
competitive advantage constitutes a gap in <strong>the</strong> literature. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,
even though TIC is considered as an attractive research domain by se,
its detailed analysis based on a <strong>the</strong>oretical background especially from
organizational capabilities framework in <strong>the</strong> turbulent market <strong>of</strong> today’s
hyper-competitive environment points a gap not widely researched in <strong>the</strong>
literature. In this scope, <strong>the</strong> concepts <strong>of</strong> technology, innovation,
technological innovation and <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se concepts have
been explained first based on <strong>the</strong> literature. Secondly, <strong>the</strong> technological
innovation strategies that businesses require to survive in <strong>the</strong>
competitive environment and <strong>the</strong> respective TICs that <strong>the</strong>y can build for
this purpose have been presented. Hypo<strong>the</strong>ses have been developed by
evaluating <strong>the</strong> idea that businesses can increase <strong>the</strong>ir technological
innovation performances by gaining <strong>the</strong>se qualifications and <strong>the</strong> effects
<strong>of</strong> gaining <strong>the</strong>se qualifications providing businesses with a competitive
advantage. In order to test <strong>the</strong> provided hypo<strong>the</strong>ses, <strong>the</strong> data obtained
through <strong>the</strong> 315 surveys conducted in <strong>the</strong> IT-telecommunication sector
have been analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) using
AMOS 4.0. A four step approach have been followed in <strong>the</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> data obtained through <strong>the</strong> methodology stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research,
particularly; 1-) second-order confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), 2-)
reliability and validity analysis, 3-) correlation analysis, and 4-) structural
equations modeling analysis.
50

Keywords: technological innovation capability, organizational
capabilities, innovation capabilities, technologic innovation, technologic
innovation performance, competitive advantage
Uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> Innovation Process
Harri Jalonen 1 and Annina Lehtonen 2
1 Turku University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences, Loimaa, Finland
2 Turku School <strong>of</strong> Economics, Turku, Finland
Abstract: This paper aims to shed light on uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> innovation
process. We ask: how does uncertainty manifest itself in <strong>the</strong> innovation
process? The concept <strong>of</strong> innovation implies <strong>the</strong> idea that something new
is added to something that already exists or that something that exists is
given up. The argument is that adding and/or taking away are ways to
improve <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> affairs. In this sense, it can be argued that
innovation is heavily laden with positive values. Almost without doubt,
innovations are considered good for modern society. A pro-innovation
bias is also evident in innovation research. Successful innovations gain
<strong>the</strong> lion’s share <strong>of</strong> interest in research while unsuccessful innovations
remain unknown. Therefore, we know much more about innovation
successes than about innovation failures. However, <strong>the</strong> newness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
idea means that some degree <strong>of</strong> uncertainty is involved in <strong>the</strong> innovation
process. The basic viewpoint <strong>of</strong> this paper is that <strong>the</strong> potential value
contained in innovation becomes or does not become materialized in <strong>the</strong>
future. Given that <strong>the</strong> future entails uncertainty, it is reasonable to argue
that uncertainty is inherent in every innovation process. Uncertainty
results from <strong>the</strong> fact that, on <strong>the</strong> one hand, events in <strong>the</strong> future do not
follow <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> past events, and, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, knowing about <strong>the</strong>
future is always incomplete. This conceptual paper presents a
<strong>the</strong>oretically founded framework for understanding various aspects <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> innovation process. Based on <strong>the</strong> systematic
literature review, we identified eight factors creating uncertainty in <strong>the</strong>
innovation process: technological uncertainty, market uncertainty,
regulatory uncertainty, social and political uncertainty, acceptance and
legitimacy uncertainty, managerial uncertainty, timing uncertainty, and
consequence uncertainty. The results <strong>of</strong> this paper can be used to
identify and avoid possible bottlenecks in innovation processes. This
paper also fills <strong>the</strong> gap in research concerning <strong>the</strong> issues that may relate
to a failure in innovation – i.e. uncertainty.
Keywords: innovation, uncertainty
51

Trends in Financial Services Delivery: Implications for a
User-centric Mobile Banking Business Model
Esad Kadušić 1 , Petar Bojović 2 and Amela Žgalj 3
1 BH Telecom JSC, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 Union University, Belgrade, Serbia
3 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract: The rapid expansion <strong>of</strong> information and communication
technology and mobile communication devices has played a definite and
considerable role in people's social lives. The mobile banking market is
characterized with a history <strong>of</strong> numerous tried and failed solutions, and a
future <strong>of</strong> promising but yet uncertain possibilities and innovations. In <strong>the</strong>
past decade, user- centered design has become <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> creating
innovative mobile banking business models. In this domain, designers
and business model developers focus on comprehending and meeting
people's specific requirements. In this paper, we describe a collaboration
business model, which involves collaboration among all stakeholders in
<strong>the</strong> mobile payments value chain, with <strong>the</strong> focus on <strong>the</strong> consumer. It is
about <strong>the</strong> convergence <strong>of</strong> collaboration, communication, community and
content. We describe <strong>the</strong> stakeholder involvement and its implications
on <strong>the</strong> innovation process. An analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mobile banking
environment is provided using a multidisciplinary approach involving all
<strong>the</strong> relevant factors. The analysis <strong>of</strong> frameworks and aspects <strong>of</strong> external
influences is necessary to comprehend all <strong>the</strong> relevant factors, and
analyze <strong>the</strong> different influences that impact <strong>the</strong> mobile banking market
and lead to economic development. This refers to technological aspects,
regulatory and standardization frameworks, social and cultural factors
and marketing aspects. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m has a remarkable influence on
adoption <strong>of</strong> mobile banking business models, and each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m
represent a very extensive research area for itself. We are not going to
analyze <strong>the</strong>m in detail, but our focus is on <strong>the</strong> social and cultural factors
and regulatory frameworks. Social and cultural factors are important
determinants for <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> different mobile banking business models.
These factors include, but are not limited to, economic conditions within
<strong>the</strong> country, payment culture, and culture’s disposition to trust. On <strong>the</strong>
o<strong>the</strong>r side, regulatory requirements including liquidity, security, fraud
detection and management and in particular money laundering
prevention is essential. The analysis <strong>of</strong> frameworks and aspects <strong>of</strong>
external influences is necessary to comprehend all <strong>the</strong> relevant factors
and analyze <strong>the</strong> different influences that impact <strong>the</strong> mobile banking
market. Finally, we conclude with key success factors leading to
consumer acceptance <strong>of</strong> a new m-payment system.
52

Keywords: collaboration, innovation, mobile banking, social, usercentric
On <strong>the</strong> Impact <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship Education: Self-
Efficacy and Shift in Perceptions
Alexandros Kakouris
Career Office, National and Kapodistrian University <strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns,
A<strong>the</strong>ns, Greece
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Informatics and Telecommunications, National and
Kapodistrian University <strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns, A<strong>the</strong>ns, Greece
Abstract: The vast majority <strong>of</strong> research on entrepreneurship education
reveals its experiential nature. Under <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> a consistent <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship, an individual learns as (s)he ‘does’. Educators
actually facilitate <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> trainees which leads <strong>the</strong>m to obtain
knowledge, to cultivate skills and it may also alter <strong>the</strong>ir attitudes towards
business venturing. Reflection promoted during <strong>the</strong> courses is
considered essential for <strong>the</strong> whole learning process. The <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong>
planned behaviour implies fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>sis that real
entrepreneurial initiatives can result from underlying entrepreneurial
intentions. In this frame, a measure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship
education can be perceived as <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> consequent business
start-ups from students who followed entrepreneurial courses. However,
such a measure oversimplifies <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> fostering an
entrepreneurial mindset which is <strong>the</strong> main goal <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship
education. The improvement <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial self-efficacy, <strong>the</strong> quality
<strong>of</strong> opportunities recognized, <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovation are, for instance,
aspects inherently involved in <strong>the</strong> consequences <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial
learning. In <strong>the</strong> present paper, we present quantitative results for a nonbusiness
department in Greece as to discuss <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurship education provided. The present data is a subset <strong>of</strong> a
global sample on <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education in more than
thirty countries; a project leaded by Illinois State University. The results
are indicative for <strong>the</strong> Greek science student population examined.
Fur<strong>the</strong>r results on <strong>the</strong> alteration <strong>of</strong> conceptions about successful
entrepreneurship due to <strong>the</strong> course are also shown, indicating a
systematic “shift” <strong>of</strong> perceptions towards knowledge-intensive
entrepreneurship. Difficulties to consistently develop statistical measures
for <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education concern its fundamental
pedagogic approach, i.e. action learning, which is highly individualistic.
Even though significant changes occur in <strong>the</strong> individual level, <strong>the</strong>
corresponding “shift” in <strong>the</strong> group (or class) level may not be unique.
53

Since entrepreneurship education is widely provided in modern higher
education, <strong>the</strong> present work aims to contribute towards <strong>the</strong>
understanding and quantitatively mapping <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial
courses.
Keywords: entrepreneurialism, entrepreneurial education, impact <strong>of</strong>
education, experiential learning, self-efficacy
The Role <strong>of</strong> State in Innovation to Stimulate
Entrepreneurship: Emerging Countries Perspectives
Oskar Kayasan
<strong>European</strong> Research Centre, University <strong>of</strong> London, UK
Abstract: This paper has developed a multidirectional model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
predictor for state-business pragmatism <strong>of</strong> innovative entrepreneurship
is developed. Specially, a set <strong>of</strong> exogenous variables comprising a
sequence <strong>of</strong> relationship are hypnotised to be related to state-business
interplay as a strategic responses to changing global business
environment. Four dimensions comprise <strong>the</strong> predictive model: i) Micro
level variables - owners/stakeholders ability, ii) Intermediate level
variables - societal dynamics - business involvement, iii) Institutional
level variables - national systems dynamics, and finally, iv) Macro level
variables - bundle/regulatory global environment affiliated with <strong>the</strong>
comprehensive emerging new operates in global market. The research
question posed is, what are <strong>the</strong> levels, and specific types <strong>of</strong> statebusiness
interplay found in <strong>the</strong> global entrepreneurships; what are <strong>the</strong>
predictors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se state-business interplay; and how do <strong>the</strong> innovation
specifics impact`s strategic competitive advantage.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, globalisation, interplay dynamics, statebusiness,
sustainability
The Fertile Synergy Between Artistic Experimentation and
Scientific Research
Eva Kekou
Department <strong>of</strong> media, communication and culture, Panteion
University, Greece
Abstract: Science and art naturally overlap. Both are a means <strong>of</strong>
investigation. Both involve ideas, <strong>the</strong>ories, and hypo<strong>the</strong>ses that are
tested in places where mind and hand come toge<strong>the</strong>r—<strong>the</strong> laboratory
and studio. Artists, like scientists, study—materials, people, culture,
history, biology, religion, mythology— and learn to transform information
54

into something else. In ancient Greece, <strong>the</strong> word for art was τέχνη
techne, from which technique and technology are derived—terms that
are aptly applied to both scientific and artistic practices. A new paradigm
is presented in <strong>the</strong> way artists are engaging with <strong>the</strong> world through
transdisciplinary practise and connective aes<strong>the</strong>tics. Bringing toge<strong>the</strong>r
art, science and philosophy by creating, participatory audience
experiences, performances and installations. This type <strong>of</strong> work pushes
<strong>the</strong> boundaries and critically questions <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> knowledge
production in <strong>the</strong> 21 st century. ‘Artists are innovators, if a new piece <strong>of</strong>
technology or a new medium, becomes available; Artists want to try it, to
experiment with it-from microbiology to robotics; from tissue culture to
neuroscience. Some artists take on <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> a scientist in almost a
performative way and some scientists become artists <strong>the</strong>mselves.
Philosophy and ethics is always at its core and political ends’ Dumitriu.
Forms <strong>of</strong> «connective aes<strong>the</strong>tics» are used to engage <strong>the</strong> audience in a
participatory experience that extends and generates new outcomes
throughout exhibition and go beyond simple interactivity, throwing
authorship into question’( Anna Dumitriu. 2010) This paper is going to
investigate how art, science and technology are linked toge<strong>the</strong>r.
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, will look at how artists use scientific progress and
technological advances as means <strong>of</strong> expression.I will use a number <strong>of</strong>
projects which are all innovative and adress issues <strong>of</strong> art, science and
technology to study how artists and scientists could have an
interchangeable and how audience responds to <strong>the</strong>se practises.
Keywords: art, science, innovation, technology, connective aes<strong>the</strong>tics,
transdisciplinary practice, audience
Conceptions and Attitudes towards Social
Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprises: The Case <strong>of</strong>
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greek For-Pr<strong>of</strong>it Companies
Panayiotis Ketikidis 1, 2 and Panagiotis Parcharidis 1
1
CITY College – International Faculty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Sheffield,
Thessaloniki, Greece
2
South East <strong>European</strong> Research Centre (SEERC), Thessaloniki,
Greece
Abstract: An effort to define <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> Social Entrepreneurship and
Social Enterprises in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greek for-pr<strong>of</strong>it business field has
inspired and directed <strong>the</strong> realisation <strong>of</strong> this research. Social
Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprises are issues that present high
academic interest, and are still in developing stage. This study seeks to
outline <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> this important research field, and to explore <strong>the</strong>
55

conceptualisation and <strong>the</strong> attitude <strong>of</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greek for-pr<strong>of</strong>it
companies towards Social Entrepreneurship and Social enterprise
practices. A literature review is presented covering <strong>the</strong>mes relevant to
Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprises, and provides <strong>the</strong>
background to design <strong>the</strong> research, which combines quantitative and
qualitative methodology in order to achieve <strong>the</strong> study's objectives. In <strong>the</strong>
context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> quantitative approach, a web-based survey with <strong>the</strong>
participation <strong>of</strong> 72 Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greek for-pr<strong>of</strong>it companies was carried out,
and following descriptive data analysis, indicators <strong>of</strong> Social
Entrepreneurship practices and concepts were examined. In <strong>the</strong> context
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> qualitative approach, 10 interviews with key managers <strong>of</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn
Greek for-pr<strong>of</strong>it companies were conducted in order to investigate
attitudes towards <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes in question. The results suggest that
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greek for-pr<strong>of</strong>it companies seem to be socially oriented, and
managers tend to welcome Social Entrepreneurship practices. There are
misperceptions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> terms, and Social Enterprises seem to be
perceived as non-pr<strong>of</strong>it organisations. Despite <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong>re were
valuable and interesting findings, <strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> web-based survey
limited <strong>the</strong> sample size, presenting a low response rate, and an in-depth
statistical analysis <strong>of</strong> relationships and correlations was not executed.
This study is a first step in examining Social Entrepreneurship in
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greece; and contributes to <strong>the</strong> enrichment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> general
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> researched field.
Keywords: social entrepreneurship, social enterprises, nor<strong>the</strong>rn Greece,
for-pr<strong>of</strong>it companies
Entrepreneurship and <strong>the</strong> Dark Triad <strong>of</strong> Personality: How
Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy Relate to
Entrepreneurial Intention and Performance
Matthias Kramer 1, 2 , Beate Cesinger 3 , Dominik Schwarzinger 3 and
Petra Gelléri 3
1 Reutlingen University, Germany
2 Dublin City University, Ireland
3 University <strong>of</strong> Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Abstract: The Dark Triad <strong>of</strong> Personality (DT) - narcissism,
Machiavellianism, and subclinical psychopathy - has recently attracted
interest in management research. This paper aims at shedding light on
how this cluster <strong>of</strong> three undesirable and interpersonally problematic
behavior styles is linked to entrepreneurial intention and performance in
business planning. For this purpose, we present findings from two
empirical studies among Entrepreneurship students participating in a
56

usiness plan competition. Our results show that narcissism and
psychopathy are positively related to entrepreneurial intention, perceived
desirability, and perceived feasibility. The examination <strong>of</strong> effects on
performance criteria revealed different patterns for narcissism and
Machiavellianism in business planning. A comparative analysis reveals
that Machiavellians outperform narcissists. Their higher performance is
not mirrored by an elevated interest in an entrepreneurial career but
seems to emanate from <strong>the</strong>ir general competitive attitude. Although
narcissists initiate more steps towards venture creation and are highly
attracted by an entrepreneurial career, <strong>the</strong>ir desire and intention may be
an expression <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir self-enhancement and self-portrayal biases.
Based on <strong>the</strong>se results, we <strong>of</strong>fer avenues for fur<strong>the</strong>r research and
implications for practitioners.
Keywords: dark triad <strong>of</strong> personality, entrepreneurial personality,
entrepreneurial intention, performance in business planning
The Hidden Dimensions <strong>of</strong> Cognition in <strong>the</strong> Production
Processes <strong>of</strong> Innovation
Erwan Lamy and Noreen O’Shea
Advancia, Paris, France
Abstract: The aim <strong>of</strong> this communication is to highlight <strong>the</strong> ways in
which <strong>the</strong> hidden dimensions <strong>of</strong> cognition, such as intuition, tacit
knowledge, know-how, serendipity and habitus, contribute to <strong>the</strong>
production processes <strong>of</strong> innovation. A typology <strong>of</strong> innovation is first
proposed, followed by a framework in which <strong>the</strong> cognitive and creative
processes inherent in <strong>the</strong>se hidden dimensions are presented. A
juxtaposition <strong>of</strong> both typologies enables a preliminary matching exercise,
pointing out possible links between <strong>the</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> innovation
identified and <strong>the</strong> knowledge generated through <strong>the</strong> articulation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se
cognitive processes.
Keywords: cognition, innovation, typology, knowledge
57

Chinese Returnee Entrepreneurs: The Essential Human
Capital for a Chinese Innovative State
Nicholas Laroche 1, 4 , Alexandre Cabagnols 2 , Pascale Hénaut 3 and P.
Romond 1
1 Clermont Université, Université d’Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand,
France
2 Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand,
France
3 Soluscience, Biopole Clermont-Limagne, Saint-Beauzire, France
4 NRS, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Abstract: Do Chinese entrepreneurs, who have gained academic and/or
pr<strong>of</strong>essional experience abroad, develop different commercial or
technology strategies compared to <strong>the</strong>ir competitors? Are <strong>the</strong>y a real
enrichment to <strong>the</strong> Chinese industrial sector? Within a single country -
China- we can distinguish two different populations <strong>of</strong> biotech
enterprises: one set up and led by returnees (<strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> whom have
been to <strong>the</strong> USA), <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r by "mainland" Chinese entrepreneurs.
Returnees are defined as “migrant entrepreneurs” who have left <strong>the</strong>ir
country <strong>of</strong> origin for a certain period to <strong>the</strong>n return to it. They have been
exposed to an occidental culture (mainly North American and <strong>European</strong>)
and have benefited from an enrichment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir human capital by means
<strong>of</strong> research visits or research fellowships at <strong>the</strong> best universities
worldwide. In our study we compare <strong>the</strong> technological and product
positioning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two populations <strong>of</strong> enterprises. We distinguish
between <strong>the</strong> enterprises positioned in mature market segments (who
exploit already existing commercial opportunities) and those positioned
in emerging market segments, which explore new opportunities. For <strong>the</strong>
present paper we collected data on <strong>the</strong> Chinese biotech sector. We
studied 19 returnees’ societies and 23 “mainland Chinese” societies.
Based on this sample, we test <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> head manager status
(returnee/ or not) on <strong>the</strong> intensity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir companies' innovative
behaviour. The results show that <strong>the</strong> firms managed by returnees are
more strongly positioned in emerging markets compared to <strong>the</strong> firms that
are managed by mainland Chinese. We conclude that returnees in <strong>the</strong>
Chinese biotech sector contribute to <strong>the</strong> diversification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> markets on
which <strong>the</strong> Chinese industry is positioned and to its technological
catching-up towards US standards.
Keywords: innovativeness / human capital / china / entrepreneurship /
biotechnology / international mobility
58

Is Your Open-Innovation Successful? The Moderating Role
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Human and Organizational Internal Context
Valentina Lazzarotti 1 , Raffaella Manzini 1 , and Luisa Pellegrini 2
1 Carlo Cattaneo University – LIUC, Castellanza, Italy
2 University <strong>of</strong> Pisa, Italy
Abstract: We explore <strong>the</strong> relationship among firm absorptive capacity,
open-approach to innovation and innovative performance. We
operationalize absorptive capacity as a multi-item construct which
considers social capital and some organizational features. Openapproach
to innovation is interpreted as an approach achievable in
continuum in terms <strong>of</strong> intensity <strong>of</strong> collaboration with partners. Innovative
performance considers several factors: <strong>the</strong> enlargement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
company’s competence base and <strong>the</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time to
market. On <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> data collected from 106 Italian companies, we
find that a low level <strong>of</strong> absorptive capacity impacts negatively on <strong>the</strong> firm
orientation in adopting a more open approach. We also study <strong>the</strong>
relationship between openness and firm innovative performance: this
relation is positively moderated by absorptive capacity. This suggests
that openness is not critical per se to enhance innovative performance
and that a favourable social-organizational context is needed to make
collaboration a success.
Keywords: Open Innovation degree, Technological Collaborations,
Absorptive capacity, Innovative Performance
Moderating Effects <strong>of</strong> Venture Types on Motivation and
Venture Growth – Some Lessons From Women
Entrepreneurs in Ghana’s Tourism Industry
Angela Lemaire 1 and Hong-bumm Kim 2
1 Takoradi Polytechnic, Ghana
2 Sejong University, South Korea
Abstract: This study on women in Ghana’s tourism industry examined
how <strong>the</strong> relationship between motivation and venture growth may be
influenced by preferred venture types. The following research questions
were raised: What motivates Ghanaian women to set up tourism
businesses? What indicators do <strong>the</strong>y use to describe venture growth?
What types <strong>of</strong> tourism ventures do <strong>the</strong>y prefer? How does <strong>the</strong> preferred
venture type influence <strong>the</strong> causal relationship between motivation and
venture growth? The mixed methodology approach was used for both
59

data collection and analysis. . The findings suggest that women in
Ghana’s tourism industry are motivated by personal, strategic and
circumstantial factors. Their growth indicators include revenue, customer
attraction and retention, and self-sustaining factors. It was also revealed
that <strong>the</strong> women mostly preferred accommodation and catering ventures.
A positive relationship between some motivation factors and venture
growth for all venture types was observed, with <strong>the</strong> strongest emerging
between personal motivation factor and growth.
Keywords: women; motivation; venture growth; tourism; venture types
China's Talent Policy towards Overseas Returnee
Entrepreneurs: Origin, Trends and Impact
Kai Liu
Northampton Business School, The University <strong>of</strong> Northampton, UK
Abstract: he notion <strong>of</strong> "brain drain” seems gradually reversed to "brain
circulation" (Saxenian, 2000, Saxenian, 2005) or even "brain gain" (Pan,
2011) in some developing nations. One example is China, which has
been <strong>the</strong> largest international students sending country for over a
decade, has now started to regain brain power through design and
implementation <strong>of</strong> policies to attract overseas students to work or start
up new ventures in <strong>the</strong>ir home country. This paper focuses on Chinese
government's policies towards returnee entrepreneurs whose critical role
<strong>of</strong> transferring much needed technology know-how in streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong>
country’s innovation capacity have been widely reorganised as key
strategic assets by <strong>the</strong> Chinese government. A set <strong>of</strong> policies have been
developed and evolved over <strong>the</strong> last decade to promote such type <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship. This study traces <strong>the</strong> origin and development <strong>of</strong> those
policies and summarises <strong>the</strong> major policy measures that have been
introduced at both national and local levels. An initial assessment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
impact <strong>of</strong> those policies shows <strong>the</strong> policies are successful in terms <strong>of</strong>
creating awareness among Chinese overseas and <strong>the</strong>y also work well in
certain industries and certain cities, but <strong>the</strong> policies reside on <strong>the</strong>
premises that those who can benefit from such favourable policies need
to be verified and approved by government and <strong>the</strong>ir businesses also
need to be in so-called “strategically important” sectors. The policies'
highly selective nature means a large number <strong>of</strong> returnee entrepreneurs
are excluded from benefiting from those policies and this also fur<strong>the</strong>r fuel
<strong>the</strong> debate whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> state should be using policy tools to deliberately
favour certain types <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs in certain sectors than o<strong>the</strong>rs.
Keywords: China, talent policy, international students, returnee
entrepreneurs, science parks, overseas Chinese
60

How Small Enterprises Manage Resource Scarcity in Their
Product Innovation Processes
Lars L<strong>of</strong>qvist
University <strong>of</strong> Gavle, Sweden
Abstract: Small enterprises have scarce resources, which is <strong>the</strong> main
factor hindering <strong>the</strong>ir innovation <strong>of</strong> new products. Despite this resource
scarcity, some small enterprises do innovate. The research question is:
how do small enterprises manage resource scarcity in <strong>the</strong>ir product
innovation processes? A multiple case study <strong>of</strong> three different small
enterprises was used to answer <strong>the</strong> research question. The enterprises
implement several approaches to use existing resources more efficiently
or increase existing resources, such as reducing formality and including
customers and users in <strong>the</strong> innovation processes, intertwining innovation
processes, working concurrently on innovation and operational
processes, adopting lead-user inventions, and only starting innovation
processes when a current customer asks for or needs <strong>the</strong> potential new
product. The efficiency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se approaches is found to be explained by
common small enterprise characteristics. One conclusion from this study
is that resource scarcity can be managed and small enterprises’ specific
characteristics can facilitate innovation if <strong>the</strong>se are recognized and used
as strengths.
Keywords: Product innovation, innovation, resources, small enterprises,
SMEs, lead-users
Tight time - to be or not to be Creative?
Eva Lovén
Department <strong>of</strong> Management and Engineering (IEI), Linköping
University, Sweden
Abstract: This study examines <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> creativity in an efficient
product development organisation. Specifically, this study examines how
engineers cope with <strong>the</strong>se demands <strong>of</strong> being simultaneously creative
and efficient. The engineers described <strong>the</strong> demands in different ways;
“extremely lean organization”, “not enough time for development”, and
“pressed time schedule”. The answers <strong>the</strong> engineers provided also
describe how difficult it was to be simultaneously creative and efficient.
The engineers had ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> intention to be or not to be creative when it
came to efficient product development; that is, <strong>the</strong>y ei<strong>the</strong>r (1) confronted
and opposed high demands or (2) adapted and worked more than <strong>the</strong>y
could handle or (3) avoided being creative and focused on efficiency.
61

This study shows that <strong>the</strong> engineers <strong>the</strong>mselves were forced to set <strong>the</strong>
limit when unreasonable demands arose. The first group stressed <strong>the</strong>
importance <strong>of</strong> resisting creative work when <strong>the</strong> demands <strong>of</strong> work were
too high. The strategy was to discuss with <strong>the</strong> managers why it was
impossible to be both creative and efficient. The second group adapted
to <strong>the</strong> demand <strong>of</strong> being simultaneously creative and efficient, but <strong>of</strong>ten
took more work than <strong>the</strong>y could handle. The fear <strong>of</strong> saying “no” to a
supervisor’s demands forced creativity forward, but this was a
dangerous balancing act as this could result in demands beyond
worker’s time constraints. For this group, this choice could be a health
risk. The third group avoided being creative and concentrated only on
being efficient when <strong>the</strong> pressure <strong>of</strong> both efficiency and creativity was
perceived as being too much. This group <strong>of</strong>ten avoided presenting a
“good” idea because <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y would be responsible for implementing
<strong>the</strong> new idea. This meant <strong>the</strong>y chose a “secure solution” (even if <strong>the</strong>
“solution” was incomplete) ra<strong>the</strong>r than taking a risk on a more innovative
solution. The work organization needs to support <strong>the</strong> demand <strong>of</strong> being
simultaneously creative and efficient.
Keywords: creativity, efficiency, lean, innovation, employees, initiative
Commercialization <strong>of</strong> University Research: A View from <strong>the</strong>
Social Science and Humanities
Manjari Maheshwari 1 and Ranjana Bird 2
1 Research Associate, University <strong>of</strong> Windsor, Windsor, Canada
2 Vice President Research, University <strong>of</strong> Windsor , Windsor, Canada
Abstract: There is a considerable emphasis on universities to be major
players <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> knowledge based economy. University research is seen
as a driver <strong>of</strong> economic growth. Increasingly, universities are trying to
integrate <strong>the</strong>ir research with <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> commercial products
and subsequent creation <strong>of</strong> spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies. However, most <strong>of</strong> this
commercialization effort is focused around natural sciences, engineering
and medical fields. The commercialization needs <strong>of</strong> social sciences and
humanities (SSH) researchers which constitute a major brain power in
<strong>the</strong> universities are largely ignored. In this paper, we propose a
commercialization map for SSH disciplines by searching, extracting, and
analysing <strong>the</strong> relevant existing literature. In addition, we have ga<strong>the</strong>red
evidence through internet search and content analysis <strong>of</strong> some
successful case studies on commercialization <strong>of</strong> SSH research. This
report provides insights and recommendations for both <strong>the</strong> policy
makers and university administrators which could be used in developing
<strong>the</strong> core strengths <strong>of</strong> universities and increased commercialization <strong>of</strong>
62

SSH research. It is concluded that SSH research could play a vital role
in social and economic innovations.
Keywords: University research commercialization, social sciences and
humanities, knowledge transfer, innovation
The Governance <strong>of</strong> International Enterprises Under <strong>the</strong>
Influence <strong>of</strong> Innovative Phenomena
Simone Manfredi, Mirella Battista and Fabio Nappo
University <strong>of</strong> Cassino, Italy
Abstract: In recent years, <strong>the</strong> social, economic and political
environment in which <strong>the</strong> modern enterprise is characterized by a phase
<strong>of</strong> drinking that takes on a subjective meaning, with an increasing value
to <strong>the</strong> intangible components <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> product and/or services purchased
by <strong>the</strong> customer. It’s widely acknowledged that <strong>the</strong> company has
emerged as immaterial <strong>the</strong> knowledge society. This paper aims to
analyze <strong>the</strong> relationship between innovative capacity and <strong>the</strong> ownership
<strong>of</strong> international enterprises more innovative in 2009. In this regard, this
work aims to assess <strong>the</strong> way in which innovation activities are carried
out, not so much to define a quantitative approach to measuring <strong>the</strong>
ability to innovate, but to highlight <strong>the</strong> "practice" in carrying out
innovation activities <strong>the</strong>mselves. More specifically, <strong>the</strong>se "practices" are
intended to clarify with examples <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> innovation in business, without
having to resort to <strong>the</strong> calculation <strong>of</strong> specific quantitative indicators,
going to use an analysis approach based on a variety <strong>of</strong> aspects. In
particular, <strong>the</strong> work deepens <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ownership <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>se companies, divided into three main forms <strong>of</strong> government: <strong>the</strong>
public company, <strong>the</strong> company controlled by a shareholder and <strong>the</strong> family
business. In this case, <strong>the</strong> structure <strong>of</strong> corporate governance <strong>of</strong>
companies has been analyzed based on two variables: <strong>the</strong> firm size and
<strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong> concentration <strong>of</strong> ownership structure (or Degree <strong>of</strong>
Ownership Concentration). The empirical analysis highlights <strong>the</strong>
relationship between <strong>the</strong> propensity to invest in highly innovative and
structure <strong>of</strong> corporate governance <strong>of</strong> companies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> undertakings
concerned, going to examine <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> institutional investors and
<strong>the</strong>ir ability to influence, in companies where <strong>the</strong>y own a significant
share <strong>of</strong> equity, <strong>the</strong> decisions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economic subject in R&D. Finally,
<strong>the</strong> paper aims to provide interesting insights for understanding in
substantive terms <strong>the</strong> way in which businesses operate on investments
in R&D, while also allowing <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> potential problem areas.
Keywords: Corporate governance, innovation, R&D, evaluation
63

Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Greece: Do Small and
Medium Enterprises Innovate?
Maria Markatou
University <strong>of</strong> A<strong>the</strong>ns, Technological Education Institute <strong>of</strong> Larissa,
Greece
Abstract: Innovation is widely recognized as a key factor in <strong>the</strong>
economic development <strong>of</strong> nations. Innovation is also essential for <strong>the</strong>
competitiveness <strong>of</strong> firms. Its importance is intensified by factors like <strong>the</strong>
increased global competition, <strong>the</strong> decreased product lifecycles and <strong>the</strong>
rapidly changing consumer demands. Large firms play a key role in
innovation but this doesn’t mean that <strong>the</strong>re is no place for SMEs. The
last years <strong>the</strong> environment for innovation has changed. The importance
<strong>of</strong> SMEs to <strong>the</strong> innovation process has increased. The increasing
incomes, <strong>the</strong> more “niched” market demand and <strong>the</strong> changing
technologies have reduced <strong>the</strong> structural disadvantages <strong>of</strong> SMEs firm
size. However, SMEs success is <strong>of</strong>ten dependent on <strong>the</strong> degree to
which <strong>the</strong>y embrace innovation. SMEs that successfully pursue
innovation increase both <strong>the</strong>ir productivity and <strong>the</strong>ir likelihood <strong>of</strong> survival.
In this paper we examine <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Greek SMEs in innovation
generation. We will use patent records to measure innovation and
specifically all patents that have been protected in Greece during <strong>the</strong>
period 1989- 2005. Generally, <strong>the</strong> description and measurement <strong>of</strong>
innovation is a difficult and ra<strong>the</strong>r complex task. Empirical research in
this field uses R&D based indicators and patent data in most cases.
Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se indicators exhibits its own characteristics in terms <strong>of</strong>
measurement, strengths and weaknesses. Patents are <strong>the</strong> main and
formal product- result <strong>of</strong> R&D activities inside firms, but also outside
firms. Especially on firm level, however, firms develop patents in order to
make pr<strong>of</strong>its, and <strong>the</strong>se patents are also indicative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forthcoming
new products and procedures that will be introduced in <strong>the</strong> market. This
is <strong>the</strong> first research that studies innovation through patents among <strong>the</strong>
Greek SMEs. Our analysis shows that small firms are <strong>the</strong> main owners
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> granted patents in Greece. So, firms that employ up to 50
employees account for <strong>the</strong> 57.83% <strong>of</strong> our sample, while <strong>the</strong> share <strong>of</strong>
large firms (more than 500 employees) is 6.02%. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se firms are
engaged in <strong>the</strong> economic activities <strong>of</strong> machine tools, metal and plastic
products, chemical substances and wholesale. The Greek SMEs have a
medium age and are characterized by different levels <strong>of</strong> exports, selling
<strong>the</strong>ir products mainly to <strong>the</strong> countries <strong>of</strong> <strong>European</strong> Union, <strong>the</strong> Balkans
and <strong>the</strong> Middle East. SMEs are very important in <strong>the</strong> OECD area,
representing a major share <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total number <strong>of</strong> firms and accounting
64

for more than <strong>the</strong> 60% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total employment and <strong>the</strong> 50% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total
value added. The above shares are higher for Greece. Our findings
confirm <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> SMEs in Greece, as <strong>the</strong>se firms are also <strong>the</strong>
main producers <strong>of</strong> innovation. In addition our findings could be used in
<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> public policy aimed at supporting and encouraging
<strong>the</strong> innovation among SMEs in Greece.
Keywords: Greece, innovation, patents, SMEs
Research-Based Spin-Off Creation Models in Polish
Economic Conditions
Adam Mazurkiewicz, Beata Poteralska and Urszula Wnuk
Institute for Sustainable Technologies – National Research Institute
(ITeE-PIB), Radom, Poland
Abstract: Nowadays technology transfer and commercialisation are at
<strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> most governmental actions designed to support innovation
and competitiveness and academic research- and technology-based
spin-<strong>of</strong>f companies have received increasing attention by authorities in
majority <strong>of</strong> scientifically highly developed countries. Research-based
spin-<strong>of</strong>fs in Poland have become <strong>the</strong> most promoted and desired
mechanism <strong>of</strong> knowledge and technology commercialisation. Their
creation has already become a central point <strong>of</strong> numerous national and
regional programmes and projects fostering entrepreneurial behaviour
among academic and non-academic researchers. Even though <strong>the</strong>re are
still a number <strong>of</strong> legal, economic and social barriers in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> this
form <strong>of</strong> scientific entrepreneurship in Poland, such ventures have
already grown in popularity. However, due to <strong>the</strong> specificity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Polish
economy, <strong>the</strong>re needs to be a unique research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f creation
model developed, particularly for <strong>the</strong> publically funded non-academic
R&D institutions – Public Research Organisations (PROs). The authors
<strong>of</strong> this article, on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> selected international case studies
analyses, have examined two models <strong>of</strong> research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f
ventures creation: <strong>the</strong> downstream and <strong>the</strong> upstream model and
following this investigation <strong>the</strong>y have developed <strong>the</strong> most effective, in
<strong>the</strong>ir opinion, spin-<strong>of</strong>f creation model for Polish public research institutes.
The model <strong>the</strong>y have come up with is based on <strong>the</strong> downstream spin-<strong>of</strong>f
creation model, in which <strong>the</strong> innovative solution developed at <strong>the</strong> parent
institution is at <strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> this commercialisation undertaking. There are
two sub-models <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> downstream spin-<strong>of</strong>f creation model and <strong>the</strong>
difference between <strong>the</strong>m concerns <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> financing <strong>the</strong>
establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> spin-<strong>of</strong>f enterprise. The first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se sub-models
assumes direct financing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business start up by <strong>the</strong> R&D sector,
65

usually by <strong>the</strong> parent organisation itself, whereas in <strong>the</strong> later <strong>the</strong> means
<strong>of</strong> financing <strong>the</strong> new venture creation come from external funds, i.e.
external investors or structural funds. The model developed by <strong>the</strong>
authors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> paper comprises and fur<strong>the</strong>r elaborates on both <strong>the</strong>se
sub-models <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> downstream research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>f creation model.
Keywords: technology transfer, research results commercialisation,
Public Research Organisations (PROs), research-based spin-<strong>of</strong>fs, spin<strong>of</strong>f
creation models, Poland
Service Innovation: A Smaller Firm Perspective
Edward McKeever, Sarah Jack and Danny Soetanto
Lancaster University Management School
Abstract: Since <strong>the</strong> term service innovation first emerged, concerns
have been raised about <strong>the</strong> merging <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two concepts (i.e. service
and innovation). The purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is to contribute to this debate
and broaden understanding about what <strong>the</strong> term might actually mean.
To do so we consider what goes on between entrepreneurial firms and
<strong>the</strong>ir environments so that service innovations are brought about. We
argue that through environmental enactment and organisational
learning, entrepreneurial firms actively ‘generate’ service innovations
and turn ideas into purposeful changes in <strong>the</strong> way services are
delivered. They do this by developing and acting upon a deep and
interactive understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir customers as well as <strong>the</strong>ir wider
environments. We <strong>the</strong>refore propose that service innovation is best
understood as a highly social process whereby firms seek to improve
<strong>the</strong>ir performance based on interactive knowledge acquisition, reflective
interpretation and learning.
Keywords: service innovation; small firms
A Study <strong>of</strong> IT Innovation Adoption and Entrepreneurship in
Malaysia
Sedigheh Moghavvemi¹, Noor A. Mohd Salleh 1 , Wenjie Zhao 1 and
Xianxue Kang 2
1
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business and Accountancy, University <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
2
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business, London South Bank University, London, UK
Abstract: Current study seeks to revise and validate <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Potential Model in technology acceptance context and investigate IT
innovation adoption by entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong>ir companies. Two
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independent variables from <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial potential model,
perceived desirability and perceived feasibility, were employed to
examine entrepreneurial intention toward technology adoption.
Performance expectancy was added as a new independent variable to
investigate entrepreneur’s intention to adopt and use IT innovation in
<strong>the</strong>ir companies. We also hypo<strong>the</strong>sized that age and gender moderates
<strong>the</strong> relationship between <strong>the</strong> determinants and dependent variable. This
study used real entrepreneurs as samples to collect data. The survey
data was collected from 1000 Malaysian entrepreneurs in Kuala Lumpur.
This paper used <strong>the</strong> structural equation model to test <strong>the</strong> proposed
model. The results found that perceived desirability and perceived
feasibility are significantly and positively related to entrepreneurial
intention to adopt and use IT innovation, whereas <strong>the</strong> direct effect <strong>of</strong>
performance expectancy on an entrepreneur’s intention is not. The
moderating variables (age and gender) revealed that performance
expectancy was positive and significant toward behavior intention for
men and young entrepreneurs compared to female and aged
entrepreneurs. Results also showed that younger women are more
interested compared to men to use IT innovation if <strong>the</strong>y feel <strong>the</strong>y have
enough skill and ability to use it.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, IT innovation adoption, entrepreneurial
potential model, performance expectance, perceived desirability,
perceived feasibility
Climar, S.A.: Entrepreneurship and “Design-driven
Innovation”. A Case Study in <strong>the</strong> Lighting Business
José Monteiro-Barata
Economics Department, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão-
Technical University <strong>of</strong> Lisbon (ISEG-UTL), Lisbon, Portugal
Abstract: This case study is included in a public research project
(Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT): “Design as a Company’s
Strategic Resource: a Study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Impacts <strong>of</strong> Design” (Project FCT no.
PTDC/AUR/70607/2006). In this project, <strong>the</strong> case studies were preceded
by an extensive online questionnaire with <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> contributing to
producing an overall view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> status <strong>of</strong> design in Portuguese
manufacturing industry, namely, to assess <strong>the</strong> impacts <strong>of</strong> design on
competitiveness (see, for example, <strong>the</strong> initiative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Danish Design
Centre 2003). In line with <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project <strong>of</strong> which this case
study is a part, <strong>the</strong> emphasis will be on <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> design in companies.
The conceptual basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study is <strong>the</strong> relationship between design and
<strong>the</strong> dynamics <strong>of</strong> innovation <strong>of</strong> enterprises. Contextually, we are looking
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at a case <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship (business initiative and development)
based on design-driven innovation and <strong>the</strong> proposition <strong>of</strong> new
“meanings” (Verganti 2009). Design takes on <strong>the</strong> role, <strong>the</strong>refore, <strong>of</strong>
enhancing <strong>the</strong> client’s “experience”, in conjunction with <strong>the</strong> general
management, R&D, marketing and <strong>the</strong> commercial and operating
structure <strong>of</strong> enterprises (Brown 2009). In recent years, <strong>the</strong> case study
methodology has become popular in <strong>the</strong> study <strong>of</strong> firms and <strong>the</strong>ir
routines. This is what is meant by <strong>the</strong> "method <strong>of</strong> cases" that will be used
to focus on Climar, S.A. - a Portuguese SME in <strong>the</strong> business <strong>of</strong> "lighting
solutions", which was created in 1977. The conclusion that will be drawn
is that greater insertion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “design function” within <strong>the</strong> company as
well as continued investment in “design people” will be necessary
conditions for sustaining <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> this Portuguese SME. In <strong>the</strong>
context <strong>of</strong> a new economic era, this case study demonstrates how <strong>the</strong>
design strategy can expand <strong>the</strong> “pure good" to “complex service". The
aim is to <strong>of</strong>fer global “lighting solutions” as "experience" and "new
meaning" for clients and markets: <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship.
Keywords: “Design-driven innovation”, entrepreneurship, case study,
lighting industry, SME
The Influence <strong>of</strong> Action in International Markets on
Marketing Innovation: Study <strong>of</strong> Portuguese Firms
Jacinta Moreira 1 and Maria José Silva 2
1 Management and Technology Department, Scholl <strong>of</strong> Technology
and Management, Polytechnic Institute <strong>of</strong> Leiria, Portugal
2 Management and Economics Department, University <strong>of</strong> Beira
Interior (UBI), Covilhã, Portugal
Abstract: This article aims to analyze <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strategy <strong>of</strong>
acting in international markets on marketing innovation, action in
international markets being understood here as a factor stimulating <strong>the</strong>
capacity for marketing innovation, in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> Portuguese
companies. On this basis, we consider a <strong>the</strong>oretical framework which
includes characterization <strong>of</strong> marketing innovation and <strong>the</strong> underlying
option <strong>of</strong> acting in international markets as a determinant. Based on <strong>the</strong>
literature, investigation hypo<strong>the</strong>ses are formulated, which are tested
using <strong>the</strong> secondary data supplied by <strong>the</strong> Science and Higher Education
Observatory (OCES), belonging to <strong>the</strong> 4 th Community Innovation Survey
(CIS 4), supervised by EUROSTAT. The method used will be <strong>the</strong> logistic
regression model. The results obtained show that acting in international
markets influences firms’ tendency to innovate in marketing.
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Keywords: marketing innovation, innovative capacity, cis,
internationalization, markets
How Community Context Impacts <strong>the</strong> Entrepreneurial
Process at Commercialization Challenged Universities
Peter Moroz 1 , Kevin Hindle 2 and Robert Anderson 1
1 University <strong>of</strong> Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
2 Deakin University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Abstract: This study compares and contrasts high and low performing
universities engaged in entrepreneurial activities. We take a sociospatial
approach to identifying key holistic differences between <strong>the</strong>se two
sets. Our findings suggest that <strong>the</strong> challenges faced by <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong>
universities attempting to commercialize research may be difficult to
overcome, especially when policy developed by studying exemplar
cases is used to guide practices within communities that are contextually
dissimilar.
Keywords: Academic entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial university,
commercialization
Beyond Financial Performance and Corporate Greening:
Mapping out <strong>the</strong> Research Field <strong>of</strong> Sustainability
Entrepreneurship
Pablo Munoz and Dimo Dimov
Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Abstract: Sustainability entrepreneurs are seen as key actors in facing
contemporary structural problems and creating sustainable growth and
wealth. They bring into being a new approach to business opportunities
that resolves <strong>the</strong> dualistic divide between business ventures and
altruistic endeavours, in favour <strong>of</strong> a new logic based on <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong>
economic value beyond corporate boundaries while improving <strong>the</strong> social
and ecological environments. Despite <strong>the</strong> recent surge <strong>of</strong> research
interest on this topic, <strong>the</strong>re remains a lack <strong>of</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nature
<strong>of</strong> this phenomenon. Therefore, <strong>the</strong>re is a need to define boundaries,
connect <strong>the</strong>oretical fields and provide deeper explanations <strong>of</strong>
sustainability entrepreneurship beyond current approaches to corporate
sustainability and social entrepreneurship. This paper seeks to address
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se issues by focusing on <strong>the</strong> distinctive importance <strong>of</strong>
sustainability entrepreneurship within entrepreneurship research and
developing a conceptual framework aimed at mapping out <strong>the</strong> field while
69

at <strong>the</strong> same time adhering to empirical relevance. In doing so, we define
sustainability entrepreneurship as <strong>the</strong> scholarly examination <strong>of</strong> how and
by whom opportunities to create future goods and services are
recognised, evaluated, and exploited, while improving <strong>the</strong> development
<strong>of</strong> society, <strong>the</strong> economy and <strong>the</strong> environment, allowing future
generations to meet <strong>the</strong>ir own needs. Based on this definition, we draw
upon literature on entrepreneurship <strong>the</strong>ory and sustainable development
and propose three avenues for fur<strong>the</strong>r research on this topic: <strong>the</strong>oretical
and empirical definition <strong>of</strong> sustainability entrepreneurs, <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> sustainability-oriented venture opportunities and <strong>the</strong>
interaction between institutions and sustainability entrepreneurship.
Within each avenue we pose relevant research questions that are <strong>of</strong>
both descriptive and explanatory nature, and aim to bring closer <strong>the</strong>
conceptual and empirical aspects <strong>of</strong> sustainability entrepreneurship.
Focusing on <strong>the</strong>se dimensions and questions helps visualise and
analyse currently disparate conditions, features, and outcomes <strong>of</strong>
sustainability entrepreneurship, thus increasing <strong>the</strong> intensity and quality
<strong>of</strong> future <strong>the</strong>oretical and empirical work.
Keywords: sustainability entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship research,
venture opportunities, sustainable development
Consumer Integration into Innovation Process and Its
Impact on Success <strong>of</strong> Innovations
Ramazan Nacar and Sitki Gozlu
Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract: Developing innovation depends on and is vital for <strong>the</strong> survival
<strong>of</strong> firms. However, a huge mass <strong>of</strong> innovations do not succeed in <strong>the</strong>
market. There are many studies that researched <strong>the</strong> critical factors
affecting <strong>the</strong> success or failure <strong>of</strong> innovations. A large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
literature on this topic depends on <strong>the</strong> two main <strong>the</strong>ories; product life
cycle and Rogers’s adopter categorization. These two models consider
consumers being passive. In fact, active participation <strong>of</strong> consumers in
innovation development process could enhance <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong>
innovations. In this <strong>the</strong>oretical study, a critical literature review has been
accomplished in order to understand <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> consumers in innovation
development process and its effects on <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> innovations.
Categorization <strong>of</strong> current literature in a prosumer based view reflects
that all <strong>the</strong> related <strong>the</strong>ories on innovation development take into account
buyer characteristics and behaviour. However, <strong>the</strong>y are not concerned
about suppliers’ new product development and marketing activities as
proactive variables. Moreover, not only introduction and diffusion but
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also adoption and consumption stages <strong>of</strong> innovations are also <strong>the</strong> main
factors affecting <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> innovations in <strong>the</strong> market. Only demand
or supply side factors might only partly succeed. The new innovation
development perspective, which is proposed in this study, encompasses
all <strong>the</strong> related variables under varying factors where many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m are
context dependent. Thus, this view streng<strong>the</strong>ns <strong>the</strong> studies and
application in innovation development with consumer’s integration. This
perspective could be worked in a balancing and iterative way. After all,
new products that perfectly meet consumers’ needs and wants can be
developed, which <strong>the</strong>n succeed in <strong>the</strong> market.
Keywords: innovation, success <strong>of</strong> innovation, integration <strong>of</strong> consumers,
innovation development process
Absorptive Capacity as a Device for Entrepreneurship: A
Primer on Firm-Level Entrepreneurship and Economic
Performance
Emeran Nziali
CES – MATISSE, University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, France
Abstract: Audretsch and Thurik (2002) is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rare attempts to link
entrepreneurship to economic performance. Whereas its <strong>the</strong>oretical
background highlights <strong>the</strong> role played by small firms (henceforth SF) in
<strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> innovation, <strong>the</strong> empirical model it is based on does not.
Ra<strong>the</strong>r, it compares SF contribution to economic growth to that <strong>of</strong> large
firms without illustrating how innovation is instrumentalized for
entrepreneurship. This is <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> our paper which arguments that
absorption capacity as a device can help in such a project. For this, it
mixes conceptions <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship as innovation conduct with that
<strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship as opportunity exploitation. It suggests to distinguish
economic agents involved in entrepreneurship from opportunities
sources being exploited. The paper elaborates on how to turn <strong>the</strong>
process into variables, measure and introduce <strong>the</strong>m into a model for
regressions and tests at an aggregated level. Specifically, literature on
SF and innovation helps to define entrepreneurial capacity which is for a
country or industry its share <strong>of</strong> SF whereas <strong>the</strong> vast work on
technological change is useful to quantify opportunities. Variables
interact and entrepreneurship matters when ones obtain a significant
coefficient suggesting absorption or exploitation. It happens for critical
levels <strong>of</strong> SF presence which must be considered carefully for at least
two reasons: (1) critical levels <strong>of</strong> firm size are specific to our dataset and
moving from <strong>the</strong>m for country or industry purposes need subsequent
works. (2) Respective influences <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship components are
71

not <strong>of</strong> same intensities, that <strong>of</strong> opportunities being <strong>the</strong> most important, it
incentives for interest in o<strong>the</strong>r agents involved in exploitation. Our
dataset documents heighten manufacturing industries (ISIC Rev.3 with
two digits) and countries such as France, USA, Great-Britain, Italy,
Denmark, Finland and Germany.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, knowledge, absorptive capacity,
innovation, firm size
The Issues Surrounding <strong>the</strong> Delivery <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship
Education are Evident at all Levels <strong>of</strong> Education
Breda O’Dwyer and Clare Rigg
Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology, Tralee, Ireland
Abstract: There is a great body <strong>of</strong> literature on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> innovation,
how people collaborate and <strong>the</strong> role, structure and types <strong>of</strong> innovation
ecosystems that occur (Rhodes, 1961; Johnson, 1972; Isaksen, Dorval
& Treffinger, 1994; Davila, Epstein & Shelton, 2006). “There is a great
body <strong>of</strong> literature on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> innovation, how people collaborate
and <strong>the</strong> role, structure and types <strong>of</strong> innovation ecosystems that occur.
While many companies consider <strong>the</strong>mselves innovative, most lack a
common lexicon for understanding how <strong>the</strong>ir investments in innovation
translate into business value”, De Cusatis, IBM (2010). The same may
be said <strong>of</strong> educational providers, who might ‘advocate’ creativity within
<strong>the</strong> content <strong>of</strong> educational programmes whilst providing a different reality
at a strategic and operational level. Taking empirical examples <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship education at all levels in Ireland, this paper aims to
explore <strong>the</strong> way institutional practices can work against <strong>the</strong> espoused
desire for better approaches to fostering and implementing creativity
through <strong>the</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong> programmes. Bureaucracy, lack <strong>of</strong> funding, use
<strong>of</strong> traditional and proven (albeit dated) practices <strong>of</strong> course development,
poor planning, lack <strong>of</strong> consultation, fear <strong>of</strong> stepping outside <strong>the</strong> comfort
zone and failure to ‘think outside <strong>the</strong> box’ have stunted <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurial approaches to education. It is possible to view <strong>the</strong>se
negative practices as immovable concrete barriers and accept <strong>the</strong>m as a
‘fait accompli’. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand it is possible to regard <strong>the</strong>m as high
level hurdles which can be conquered through a creative and innovative
approach. Creativity and innovation underpins real time
entrepreneurship and hence entrepreneurship educators need to be
creative and innovative in its delivery albeit in <strong>the</strong> academic
environment. The structure <strong>of</strong> this paper is as follows: <strong>the</strong> next section
presents <strong>the</strong> empirical context <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education in Ireland,
followed by an overview <strong>of</strong> our conceptual thinking. The paper <strong>the</strong>n
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discusses <strong>the</strong> methodology applied in this research to date. The initial
findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> perceived blocks towards entrepreneurship education
across three different levels <strong>of</strong> education are <strong>the</strong>n presented. This is
followed by a conclusion which includes an innovative model towards
entrepreneurship education and recommendations for future research.
Keywords: Creativity in Education; Barriers to entrepreneurship
education; Multi- Level Delivery
Peer Assessment: A Conduit for Developing Graduate
Attributes?
Judy Pate¹, Sheena Bell¹, Helen Purchase² and John Hamer²
¹The Business School, College <strong>of</strong> Social Sciences, University <strong>of</strong>
Glasgow, Scotland
²School <strong>of</strong> Computing Science, College <strong>of</strong> Science and
Engineering, University <strong>of</strong> Glasgow, Scotland
Abstract: The research question that shapes this study concerns <strong>the</strong>
extent to which students’ involvement in <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> peer assessment
facilitates <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> graduate attributes in a single semester
undergraduate corporate entrepreneurship course. The literature
advises that peer assessment has <strong>the</strong> potential to develop <strong>the</strong> graduate
attributes that are widely claimed to be in demand in <strong>the</strong> labour market
and that might be viewed as antecedent conditions for entrepreneurial
behaviour as well as being generally understood to be a necessary in
any undergraduate degree programme. This study draws on <strong>the</strong>
experiences <strong>of</strong> students in a corporate entrepreneurship course,
employing a mixed methodology that utilises quantitative and qualitative
data collection and analysis. It is in <strong>the</strong> comparison <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> before and
after data regarding students’ peer review experiences that this study’s
approach differs from previous work in this area, mostly addressing postpeer
review outcomes. While <strong>the</strong> perceptions <strong>of</strong> students were positive
regarding <strong>the</strong>ir experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> peer review process, <strong>the</strong>re was actually
a demonstrable shortfall between <strong>the</strong> outcomes that <strong>the</strong>y anticipated and
those that <strong>the</strong>y perceived at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> peer review exercise. A
significant conclusion, among a number drawn from this study, is that
such beneficial outcomes <strong>of</strong> peer review may more realistically be
developed as an integrated part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject understanding and
knowledge development, so that <strong>the</strong>y are embedded in <strong>the</strong> very learning
processes, preferably extending quite naturally to <strong>the</strong> extended time
frame <strong>of</strong> whole programme involvement.
Keywords: peer assessment; peer review; graduate attributes
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Innovation and Entrepreneurial Approach: A Sociological
Contingency Explication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Success in Traditional
Sectors
Massimiliano Matteo Pellegrini
University <strong>of</strong> Rome “Tor Vergata” and Friedrich-Alexander
University, Italy
Abstract: The social dimension <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship has assumed a
predominant importance in <strong>the</strong> recent years. A multitude <strong>of</strong> works have
provided insights about <strong>the</strong> network effects on firms and entrepreneurial
results. Apparently, <strong>the</strong>se works are contradictory and ours wants to
stimulate a greater attention on <strong>the</strong> possibility to study <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial network with a contingent approach, in order to redeem
this inconsistency <strong>of</strong> results. In particular, we directed our attention both
to <strong>the</strong> evolutionary stage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm and to <strong>the</strong> industry environmental
conditions in which firms are embedded. Keeping an indiscriminate
evaluation <strong>of</strong> network over <strong>the</strong>se variables, can be dangerous and even
misleading. The entrepreneurial output, on which we are focusing on, is
<strong>the</strong> innovation rate and our study takes place in a context <strong>of</strong> established
entrepreneurial firms in <strong>the</strong> reality <strong>of</strong> district (Italian and <strong>European</strong> very
traditional context). While <strong>the</strong>re is a well-developed <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> studies
on young and technology-intense firms, studies are still lacking about
less dynamic and more traditional industries. For this reason, we prefer
a qualitative approach to sound in depth all <strong>the</strong> potential origins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial network effect. We adopted a semi-grounded approach
in creating our case studies. Additionally, one researcher has lived in <strong>the</strong>
targeted district <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study for almost 25 years, allowing an
ethnographic approach in <strong>the</strong> triangulation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> data. Our findings
suggest a strong predominance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strong ties to back <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial action. First, strong ties are well-connected with
incremental innovations. Second, for <strong>the</strong> for <strong>the</strong> radical innovations, as
well, <strong>the</strong>y play a determinant role in <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se
changes. To relations with bridging actors have been assigned <strong>the</strong> merit
<strong>of</strong> radical innovations’ discovery. However, when bonding players with
whom cooperate to share <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se innovations didn’t
exist, a lot <strong>of</strong> projects had been discarded. In some cases,
entrepreneurs had overcome <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> strong ties’ lack supporting
<strong>the</strong> social cost <strong>of</strong> new strong ties’ formation by <strong>the</strong>mselves or reducing
<strong>the</strong> external dependency with a major level <strong>of</strong> internal implementation.
This has been possible when <strong>the</strong>y possessed at <strong>the</strong> moment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
opportunities’ discovery a good level <strong>of</strong> firm’s internal capital (reserve <strong>of</strong>
available resource like human capital or financial prosperity). This
74

situation can be explained by <strong>the</strong> fact that strong ties, in some cases,
can be replaced by a sufficient level <strong>of</strong> internal resources and
capabilities.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial networks, innovation, traditional industries,
weak and strong ties
Entrepreneurship Development through Entrepreneurship
Education with Special Emphasis on <strong>the</strong> Role <strong>of</strong> Business
Incubators: Evidence from <strong>the</strong> Czech Republic
Petra Taušl Procházková and Michaela Horová
University <strong>of</strong> West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Abstract: Within <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship
development and entrepreneurial thinking and behaviour in <strong>the</strong> society a
large emphasis is presently worldwide placed on motivation <strong>of</strong> potential,
especially graduate, entrepreneurs and preparation <strong>of</strong> young
entrepreneurs by means <strong>of</strong> integration <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education
into <strong>the</strong> education system. Education institutions play a significant role
for business start-ups and should be able to react on actual needs <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship education. This paper is focused on problems <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurial education and linkages between entrepreneurship
education and development <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship and competitiveness in
<strong>the</strong> Czech Republic. The level <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education and its
influence on entrepreneurship development is evaluated thanks to
authors´ empirical research realized in <strong>the</strong> year 2010. For this research
was used questionnaire method divided in two parts and focused on two
respondent groups. Respondents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first questionnaire were
university students with business education. This survey was aimed to
relations <strong>of</strong> university students to entrepreneurship and evaluation <strong>of</strong>
provided school education and its contribution to entrepreneurial skills
development. The second questionnaire was carried out by Czech
enterprises and was focused on <strong>the</strong> preparation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> graduates for
practice. The aim was to discover <strong>the</strong> main missing entrepreneurial
knowledge and skills. The obtained results were compared with similar
existing surveys in <strong>the</strong> Europe, especially with Eurobarometer. The
survey results shown that <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship education in <strong>the</strong>
Czech Republic (nei<strong>the</strong>r generally in <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> Union) is not so
positively evaluated. A significant part <strong>of</strong> interviewing graduates does not
feel that provided education influences <strong>the</strong>ir interest in entrepreneurship
activities. The majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m prefer a status <strong>of</strong> an employee than an
entrepreneur. They feel to have lack <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial competency.
Since last years <strong>the</strong>re has been implemented several activities at <strong>the</strong>
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Czech universities in order to support graduate entrepreneurs but still it
seems not have such extent and system access as at some foreign
institutions. There is missing a comprehensive conception <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship education and general education system that leads to
entrepreneurship behaviour development in <strong>the</strong> Czech Republic. The
entrepreneurship education is provided at some universities on <strong>the</strong> base
<strong>of</strong> individual access. The survey results demonstrated <strong>the</strong> insufficient
integration <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial skills education into education systems in
<strong>the</strong> Czech Republic. Not only <strong>the</strong> state should react to <strong>the</strong>se facts by
creation <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship development politics, but especially each
university should consider a crucial factors and methods <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship education. It must be still considered that investments
to <strong>the</strong> human capital are <strong>the</strong> decisive factor <strong>of</strong> competitiveness. Finally,
<strong>the</strong>re are stated <strong>the</strong> recommendation for entrepreneurship education
development at <strong>the</strong> universities in <strong>the</strong> Czech Republic. Especially, <strong>the</strong>
idea <strong>of</strong> business incubators aimed to graduate entrepreneurs is
discussed.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship education,
entrepreneurial skills, business incubator, start-up
Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Economic
Development: A Configuration Approach
Colin Reddy 1 , Boris Urban 2 and Ralph Hamann 3
1 University <strong>of</strong> Johannesburg, South Africa,
2 Wits Business School, University <strong>of</strong> Witwatersrand, South Africa
3 Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Business, University <strong>of</strong> Cape Town, South
Africa
Abstract: The purpose <strong>of</strong> this research is to examine <strong>the</strong> interaction
between formal and informal institutions and its subsequent effect on <strong>the</strong>
relationship between economic development and entrepreneurial
activity. Towards this, we also develop an integrative framework linking
formal and informal institutions to entrepreneurial conditions. This
research is among <strong>the</strong> first to use a three-way interaction in a crossnational
study including both formal and informal institutions and both
developed and developing nations. The study argues that it is important
to understand <strong>the</strong> relationship between economic development and
national entrepreneurial activity in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mechanisms <strong>of</strong>
interaction between a nation’s formal and informal institutions. In
addition, this framework will be valuable to <strong>the</strong>orists wishing to extend
<strong>the</strong> opportunity <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> Shane and Venkataraman (2000) to cross
national studies. To test <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>ses, we analyse eight years <strong>of</strong> GEM
76

expert study and World Bank data. An ANOVA analysis justifies <strong>the</strong>
pooling <strong>of</strong> panel data. We use hierarchical regression analysis to
determine <strong>the</strong> three-way interaction effects. Since World Bank new
enterprise data is used, <strong>the</strong> study is limited to <strong>the</strong> formal economy i.e.
legally registered companies, easily traceable to economic growth. The
alignment <strong>of</strong> formal to informal institutions matters. When <strong>the</strong>y are not in
alignment, compensating mechanisms sets <strong>of</strong>f a Kirznerian tendency
towards equilibrium. A complementary mechanism does not have <strong>the</strong>
same effect instead resulting in reduced entrepreneurial activity. High
entrepreneurial activity through enterprise formation is not always
necessary. Despite <strong>the</strong> debates around <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> small
enterprises (Birch, 1979) in increasing entrepreneurial activity, such
contexts with complementary institutional mechanisms still attain high
levels <strong>of</strong> economic development. There appears to be an ideal mix <strong>of</strong>
new enterprise activity and existing corporate entrepreneurship
accompanying economic development. Evident <strong>the</strong>n is <strong>the</strong> neglect <strong>of</strong>
corporate entrepreneurial activity or intrapreneurship in economic
development discussions.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, institutions, economic development,
resources, opportunity
Identification and Classification <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial
Competencies Mapped With Human Personalities
Morteza Rezaei-Zadeh 1 , Brendan Cleary 2 , John O’Reilly 3 ,
Abdolhossein Abdollahi 4 and Eamonn Murphy 5
1
University <strong>of</strong> Limerick; Ireland
2
Enterprise Research Centre, University <strong>of</strong> Limerick, Ireland
3
Department <strong>of</strong> education and pr<strong>of</strong>essional studies, University <strong>of</strong>
Limerick, Ireland
4
Psychology Department, University <strong>of</strong> Limerick, Ireland
5
Dean <strong>of</strong> Enterprise Research Centre, University <strong>of</strong> Limerick,
Ireland
Abstract: Entrepreneurial competencies play an instrumental role in
creating and growing new enterprises and <strong>the</strong>reby encouraging growth
in an economy. To promote <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> increased
entrepreneurial competencies in an economy, first <strong>the</strong>y need to be
identified and classified. In <strong>the</strong> last decades, many studies investigating
entrepreneurial competencies have been published. Some <strong>of</strong> those are
based on existing literature, while o<strong>the</strong>rs are empirical studies in a
variety <strong>of</strong> contexts. This article, as a part <strong>of</strong> a bigger project, is focused
on identifying and classifying entrepreneurial competencies and
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characteristics. Based on more than 60 (mostly) peer reviewed articles,
65 entrepreneurial competencies were identified. These competencies
were <strong>the</strong>n classified according to <strong>the</strong> one level model <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial
Competencies. An analysis was conducted to examine correlations
between this model and <strong>the</strong> “five factor model <strong>of</strong> personality”, considered
to be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most widely used psychological models for classification
<strong>of</strong> personalities. Finally, we derived some interesting conclusions as a
result <strong>of</strong> mapping between entrepreneurial competency levels and five
factor model <strong>of</strong> personality.
Keywords: entrepreneurial competencies, personalities, classification,
mapping
The Organisation <strong>of</strong> Knowledge in High Technology-Based
Firms: Evidence From <strong>the</strong> Emilia-Romagna Region
Ugo Rizzo and Francesco Nicolli
University <strong>of</strong> Ferrara, Italy
Abstract: This work investigates how knowledge is organised during <strong>the</strong>
process <strong>of</strong> development <strong>of</strong> high technology-based firms (HTBFs). The
existing literature on entrepreneurship lacks accurate analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
processes that lead an idea <strong>of</strong> business to become an established firm.
The present paper seeks to move one step towards filling this gap, by
dynamically investigating <strong>the</strong> process development <strong>of</strong> a self-contained
population <strong>of</strong> 76 HTBFs in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Italian region <strong>of</strong> Emilia-
Romagna. This work studies how production processes and governance
structures are organised by firms and how such organisational structures
change during <strong>the</strong> development process. By clustering <strong>the</strong> firms in
similar organisational configurations at three different points in time, <strong>the</strong>
results show that it is possible to observe that firms develop along
different, sometimes overlapping paths. The work tries to enrich <strong>the</strong>
understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial process and seeks to put forward
some reflections on <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm. Finally some policy
implications are also provided.
Keywords: entrepreneurial process; high technology-based firms;
<strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm; cluster analysis
78

Patent Aggregating Companies: Motives, Activities and a
Classification
Frauke Rü<strong>the</strong>r 1, 2 , Nicole Ziegler 1 and Martin Bader 1
1 2
University <strong>of</strong> St.Gallen, Switzerland, University <strong>of</strong> Melbourne,
Australia
Abstract:As part <strong>of</strong> a changing innovation paradigm from close
innovation to open innovation, companies increasingly sell and buy
patents. For <strong>the</strong> observer, corporate buyers which produce goods and
services and <strong>the</strong>refore hold patents to protect <strong>the</strong>m are intuitive players
in <strong>the</strong> market for patents, but a new phenomenon is observable. In
recent years, companies which seem to have none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> traditional
buying motives have emerged as new significant players in <strong>the</strong> market
for patents. Even though <strong>the</strong>se companies do not produce goods and
<strong>the</strong>refore do not need patents in <strong>the</strong>ir historical meaning, <strong>the</strong>y acquire
patents and aggregate large patent portfolios. We indicate <strong>the</strong>m as
patent aggregating companies. Extant literature on this new
phenomenon is limited to anecdotic reports <strong>of</strong> single cases and <strong>of</strong>ten
emotionally charged. A pr<strong>of</strong>ound analysis <strong>of</strong> buying motives and <strong>the</strong>
business models <strong>of</strong> patent aggregating companies is lacking. Based on
an exploratory case study design, we investigate strategies, business
models, and activities <strong>of</strong> 27 patent aggregating companies. Our findings
confirm that patent aggregating companies are a young phenomenon.
These companies are highly diverse regarding <strong>the</strong>ir motives to
aggregate patents, <strong>the</strong>ir funding structure, <strong>the</strong>ir way <strong>of</strong> venture creation,
and <strong>the</strong>ir focus on industry and patents <strong>the</strong>y aggregate. We identify four
main drivers that have enhanced <strong>the</strong> patent aggregating business: (1)
corporate recognition <strong>of</strong> patents as asset; (2) financial pressure and risk
diversification needs <strong>of</strong> producing companies; (3) an increasingly
complex patent landscape; (4) <strong>the</strong> large financial opportunities for bold
entrepreneurs. Based on our findings we derive eight types <strong>of</strong> patent
aggregating companies. Four types acquire patents to generate
revenues by exploiting <strong>the</strong> patents. Based on how <strong>the</strong>se companies
exploit <strong>the</strong> patents we distinguish between patent acquisition funds,
patent enforcement funds, patent incubating funds, and patent trading
funds. The o<strong>the</strong>r four types acquire patents to serve <strong>the</strong>ir members,
<strong>the</strong>ir customers or <strong>the</strong> society (commercially or not). Patents are only a
means and <strong>the</strong> exploitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m follows more diverse objectives than
sole revenue generation. We cluster this companies in defensive patent
funds, non commercial patent funds, patent pools, and patent
securitization funds. Keywords: markets for technology, open
innovation, technology transfer, innovation financing, patent
enforcement, patent aggregating companies
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Entrepreneurs as Agents <strong>of</strong> Change: Sustainable
Innovation in <strong>the</strong> Dutch Construction Industry
Henk Schout, Damon Hassanpur Golriz and Saskia Harkema,
The Hague University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences, Centre for Innovation
and Entrepreneurship, The Hague, The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands
Abstract: Over recent years aspects <strong>of</strong> sustainability have claimed a
central role in many countries. As a result research for sustainability has
become an important driver for innovation. This paper describes
developing a model that supports SMEs in integrating sustainability in
<strong>the</strong>ir business and innovation processes. In general innovation and
entrepreneurship are important in <strong>the</strong> realm <strong>of</strong> national economies
because <strong>the</strong>y hold <strong>the</strong> key to <strong>the</strong> continuity and growth <strong>of</strong> companies
and economic growth within a country. National governments are
spending vast sums <strong>of</strong> money to enable and improve innovation
management and entrepreneurial behaviour within organizations. This is
also <strong>the</strong> case in The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands. Partnerships involving universities
(education), companies (preferably SMEs) and industrial associations
(business) and representatives from governmental organizations
(community) are stimulated and should be geared towards: <strong>the</strong>
development <strong>of</strong> sustainable networks, a contribution to regional
economic growth within sectors, <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> learning
communities in which best practices are shared, knowledge circulates
and knowledge is created through applied research and last but not least
sustainable relations are developed between universities and <strong>the</strong>
business community. Within <strong>the</strong> centre for innovation and
entrepreneurship at our university we have taken <strong>the</strong> initiative to develop
an innovation programme for entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> construction industry
to help <strong>the</strong>m integrate sustainability in <strong>the</strong>ir business processes, while
simultaneously pr<strong>of</strong>essionalizing students and teachers. Sustainability
and concern for <strong>the</strong> environment are two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main reasons for
entrepreneurs to look for opportunities to innovate. Policy measures are
aimed at reduction <strong>of</strong> CO2 emission, waste management and alternative
use <strong>of</strong> energy sources and materials. In line with <strong>the</strong>se measures
companies are urged to integrate sustainability in <strong>the</strong>ir business
processes and search for innovative sustainable solutions. This paper
describes <strong>the</strong> experiences with a number <strong>of</strong> SMEs in <strong>the</strong> construction
industry and <strong>the</strong> barriers entrepreneurs encounter on <strong>the</strong> road towards
sustainability. We focus on <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneur in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong>
sustainable innovation and development. We conducted exploratory
research and through an organisational analysis and in-depth interviews
with <strong>the</strong> owners/managers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> companies insight was gained in
80

innovation processes towards sustainable development. Conclusions
show that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main bottlenecks is <strong>the</strong> dilemma posed by <strong>the</strong> need
for pr<strong>of</strong>it for <strong>the</strong> continuity <strong>of</strong> a company, while taking into account
people and planet. The dilemmas <strong>of</strong> innovation are described as issues
that need to be addressed and which influence <strong>the</strong> innovative capacity <strong>of</strong>
companies and organizations. This paper deals with <strong>the</strong> underlying
factors related to <strong>the</strong> dilemma between sustainability and growth/pr<strong>of</strong>it.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, change agents, sustainable innovation,
construction industry
Creating a Collaborative Learning Space Using Wikis:
Interaction in Enterprise Projects With International
Student Groups
Anne Smith, Keith Halcro and Peter Duncan
Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
Abstract: Stakeholders’ demands are creating an ever more complex
teaching and learning environment for Higher Education. One important
strand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se demands is <strong>the</strong> need to develop students’ international
awareness and understanding - a <strong>the</strong>me government and employers
now view as critical to individual, organisational and collective
betterment. More generally, <strong>the</strong> requirement to meet <strong>the</strong> complexity <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>se demands is straining universities’ finite resources and is requiring
alternative, pedagogic delivery and support. Therefore, this educational
landscape requires new ways <strong>of</strong> working across various boundaries
such as functions, disciplines and cultures. However, <strong>the</strong> solutions that
will support such new ways <strong>of</strong> working are only just emerging. The
purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is to explore <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> Web 2.0 technology,
specifically Wikis, to engage in boundary crossing activities between
individuals and groups who may be required to collaborate remotely on
temporary/transient projects. The concept <strong>of</strong> remote, collaborative
learning is emergent and requires new thinking in terms <strong>of</strong> teaching and
learning. Enterprise education demands interaction and engagement,
which is <strong>of</strong>ten based around action- and experiential-learning
pedagogies. This paper will report on <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> a study which
investigated <strong>the</strong> design requirements <strong>of</strong> Wikis in enterprise education to
meet <strong>the</strong> requirements <strong>of</strong> international students. The results <strong>of</strong> this
study demonstrate that universities can use Wikis as a way <strong>of</strong>
connecting students in an educational environment, irrespective <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
location. Critically, <strong>the</strong> study investigated different types <strong>of</strong> Wiki usage,
<strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> Wiki usage, different levels <strong>of</strong> student experience pre and
post Wiki activity and reflections on learning. The implications <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
81

esults are threefold: Firstly that informed decisions can be made on <strong>the</strong>
application <strong>of</strong> Wikis in enterprise education for international students.
Secondly, <strong>the</strong> research fosters an understanding <strong>of</strong> how a Wiki can
contribute towards development <strong>of</strong> business opportunities and market
sensitivity. Finally, and in terms <strong>of</strong> policy implications, <strong>the</strong> results
suggest that Wikis can <strong>of</strong>fer a solution to universities reaching out
across cultural, social and geographical boundaries.
Keywords: Wikis, enterprise education, collaborative learning,
international students
Differentiating Between SMEs and Large Enterprises in
External Knowledge Linkages
André Spithoven 1 and Peter Teirlinck 2
1 Belgian Science Policy Office and Vrije Universiteit Brussel
2 Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel
Abstract: This paper focuses on <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> external knowledge
linkages in SMEs by stressing <strong>the</strong>ir differences with those used in large
enterprises. Four external knowledge linkages were considered (search
strategies, external R&D, research collaboration, and protection
mechanisms) and <strong>the</strong>ir impact on innovative performance in terms <strong>of</strong>
generating innovative revenue is empirically examined. Findings show
that SMEs and large enterprises differ. First, <strong>the</strong> mix <strong>of</strong> external
knowledge linkages is less relevant for SMEs. SMEs use external
knowledge sourcing less than large enterprises, but use <strong>the</strong>m more
intensely if <strong>the</strong>y do. SMEs also benefit from a limited set <strong>of</strong> external R&D
channels and have less collaboration partners than large enterprises.
SMEs benefit more from using protection mechanisms than large
companies. SMEs benefit from users; whereas large enterprises benefit
more from suppliers and technology partners.
Keywords: SMEs, Large enterprises, External knowledge linkages,
Product innovation, Firm performance
Pedagogical Methods and Models for Entrepreneurship
Education in Romania: Case study
Zsuzsanna Szabó and Liviu Marian
Petru Maior” University <strong>of</strong> Tîrgu Mureş, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
Abstract: Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial education in eastern
<strong>European</strong> countries is ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>oretical. Literature shows that in <strong>the</strong>se
countries, after <strong>the</strong> fall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “Iron Curtain”, <strong>the</strong> developed and
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implemented entrepreneurship is <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “crypto-communist” type, mainly
based on <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurs who took advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir positions and
relations and developed businesses between disarrayed industries and
traders. Because <strong>of</strong> this issue, real role models for <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial
education for youths are missing. The transition in Romania started in
1990 and was more difficult than in o<strong>the</strong>r central and eastern <strong>European</strong>
countries. It is recognized that communism destroyed <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial system. In Romania, a number <strong>of</strong> universities have
started to develop programs for entrepreneurship through models and
case studies, in which students are encouraged to develop <strong>the</strong>ir own
business plans and ideas through creative methods. The paper shows
teaching methods, ways in which models and case studies are created
to stimulate Romanian entrepreneurship. A new teaching method, <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial paradigm, used at Petru Maior University, will also be
presented.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, post communism, education, Romania
Strategic Creativity as a Strength in Microsized Enterprises
Tiina Tarvainen
University <strong>of</strong> Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
Abstract: Entrepreneurship emerges from innovation and continuous
creativity enables enterprises to operate, grow and succeed. These
concepts, innovation and creativity, are <strong>the</strong> main ideas <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurship. The significance <strong>of</strong> welfare service enterprises
especially has fundamentally increased in <strong>the</strong> 21 th century. These
enterprises are usually micro-sized and entrepreneurs are deeply
committed to <strong>the</strong>ir enterprises. Moreover, this business sector is fairly
new and <strong>the</strong>re are numerous innovative enterprises. Hence, it is
important to analyze <strong>the</strong> creativity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se especially innovative
organizations. This paper introduces <strong>the</strong> elements <strong>of</strong> creativity and
innovation in <strong>the</strong> welfare service sector. The strategy <strong>of</strong> this research is
a multiple case study. Never<strong>the</strong>less, this is not a classical case study. In
addition, <strong>the</strong> findings <strong>of</strong> this research are based on several enterprises
and <strong>the</strong> phenomenon is in focus ra<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> cases <strong>the</strong>mselves. More
pr<strong>of</strong>oundly, <strong>the</strong> research strategy is also extensive and mixed methods
were used. The data were collected from questionnaires, <strong>the</strong> informants
being welfare service entrepreneurs in eastern and north-eastern
Finland. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods.
In summary, <strong>the</strong> welfare service entrepreneurs valued innovation and
creativity. In addition, <strong>the</strong> enterprises also have an innovation and
creativity oriented culture, accordingly <strong>the</strong>y motivate <strong>the</strong>ir personnel to
83

operate independently and creatively. Most importantly, <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurs experienced <strong>the</strong> innovation aspects as strategic for <strong>the</strong>
operation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir enterprises. In conclusion, <strong>the</strong> results showed that <strong>the</strong>
ability to innovate and create is regarded as an important success factor
in <strong>the</strong> welfare enterprises. However, <strong>the</strong> competition in <strong>the</strong> welfare
service sector has intensified. Above all, national medium-sized and
larger organizations are taking over <strong>the</strong> markets and <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurs
also mentioned <strong>the</strong>se actors as a significant threat. The factors which
enable welfare microenterprises to continue operating need to be
studied. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> results showed that <strong>the</strong> enterprises valued
innovation and creativity, and <strong>the</strong>se elements were seen as crucial to
<strong>the</strong>ir continuation. Never<strong>the</strong>less, creating innovation is not systematic
but ra<strong>the</strong>r haphazard, even if <strong>the</strong>se enterprises have an innovationoriented
culture. Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se micro-sized enterprises could be more
innovative and creative than national larger organizations, if <strong>the</strong>se
activities were more carefully considered is an interesting question.
Keywords: creativity, innovation, welfare service enterprises
Formal R&D management and Research Collaboration and
R&D Outsourcing in SMEs
Peter Teirlinck 1,2 and André Spithoven 2
1
Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, Stormstraat 2, 1000 Brussels
2
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1040 Brussels & Belgian
Science Policy, 1050 Brussels
Abstract: The views on ‘distributed’ or ‘open’ innovation emphasize <strong>the</strong>
use <strong>of</strong> external knowledge in order to innovate. Particularly for SMEs,
research cooperation and R&D outsourcing can <strong>of</strong>fer possibilities to
complement <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten limited internal research resources. However,
external knowledge relations potentially bring in <strong>the</strong>ir wake a loss <strong>of</strong>
technology assets. his paper focuses on research cooperation and R&D
outsourcing in SMEs. Two functions <strong>of</strong> research cooperation are
envisaged: generating new knowledge and exchanging existing
knowledge previously developed within <strong>the</strong> firm. The paper addresses
two items that are underdeveloped in <strong>the</strong> current literature. First,
attention is paid to <strong>the</strong> heterogeneity in terms <strong>of</strong> firm size <strong>of</strong> SMEs. A
distinction is made between micro, small-sized, and medium-sized firms.
Second, consideration is given to <strong>the</strong> formal management <strong>of</strong> R&D
activities. This is related to <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> potential risks
inherently involved in external knowledge relations. It is measured by <strong>the</strong>
presence <strong>of</strong> a formal R&D manager within <strong>the</strong> SME. A descriptive
quantitative empirical analysis is presented based on firm-level data
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provided by <strong>the</strong> OECD business R&D survey for Belgium covering <strong>the</strong>
period 2004-2005. The starting point is a representative sample <strong>of</strong> 140
(quasi-) permanent R&D active SMEs. The analysis reveals marked
differences in R&D outsourcing behaviour according to <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
SME. In this respect, medium-sized firms are found to be significantly
less involved in R&D outsourcing (one out <strong>of</strong> four firms) compared to
micro and small-sized firms (one out <strong>of</strong> two firms is engaged in R&D
outsourcing). On average, two-thirds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> (quasi-) permanent R&D
active firms have a formal R&D manager and <strong>the</strong>re are no marked
differences according to firm size. The presence <strong>of</strong> an R&D manager
turns out to be significantly associated with <strong>the</strong> firm’s engagement in
R&D outsourcing and with knowledge exchange in research
cooperation. There is no interaction effect between <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> an
R&D manager and firm size to explain firm engagement in research
cooperation and R&D outsourcing.
Keywords: SME, firm size, R&D manager, R&D collaboration, R&D
outsourcing
Strategy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Future: Rising Stock Options Through
Innovative Performance Measurement – is it Possible?
Yanka Todorova
University <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>ia, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics and Informatics, S<strong>of</strong>ia,
Bulgaria
Abstract: Purpose: This study investigates effective and innovative
strategy for performance measurement in an organization. The main
focus is measurement <strong>of</strong> intangibles. The purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research is an
attempt to add unmeasured by now knowledge as a capital, which could,
lead to change in financial evaluation methods <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> companies, and in
<strong>the</strong> same time might be limited by ethical issues. Design methodology/
approach: The research approach used for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is
based on qualitative observational research. Ethnographic research
combined with literature review form powerful wide-ranging and in <strong>the</strong>
same time personally oriented approach. Findings: Developing a
strategy is not news anymore. Balanced Scorecard methodology is one
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most powerful tools for developing <strong>of</strong> strategy, digging deeply into
performance measures. Measuring non-measurables or so-called
intangibles, is a difficult task. In some cases it has never been done.
Businesses have implemented widely quantitative and qualitative
performance measures, with a majority <strong>of</strong> quantitative ones. But when it
comes to subtle qualities and <strong>the</strong>ir quantities, for example human capital
or knowledge in <strong>the</strong> company, it comes to uncertainties. There is capital
85

which currently is not possible to be measured. There isn’t a
methodology <strong>of</strong> doing this. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>re isn’t an agreement who
should possess this value – <strong>the</strong> company, or <strong>the</strong> personality. In addition,
<strong>the</strong>re aren’t codes <strong>of</strong> law in legislative systems dealing with such issues,
which could reflect on new evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> businesses and <strong>the</strong>ir market
assessment. Research limitations: As <strong>the</strong> research has been held in
business (Fortune 100), and higher education institutions in UK,
Germany and Bulgaria, as an excerpt <strong>of</strong> <strong>European</strong> Union (EU) countries,
it is limited to EU and its legislative systems and social environment.
Originality/ value: This paper analyses and suggests monetizing
intangibles as a natural step over measuring performance. It discusses
<strong>the</strong> questions related to <strong>the</strong> readiness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> society to evaluate
knowledge and add it into <strong>the</strong> balance sheets in <strong>the</strong> businesses.
Developing intellectual property portfolio <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company is just one <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> ways to add value to <strong>the</strong> company. There is a knowledge, which is
still not measured at all. The paper rise <strong>the</strong> issues related to monetising
intangible capital which is going to lead <strong>the</strong> business and society to next
level revolution.
Keywords: innovation, knowledge management, performance
measurement, strategy development, monetizing intangibles, futurism
Using <strong>the</strong> Balanced Scorecard and Forecasting Tools for
Innovation Strategy Development
Yanka Todorova, Dimitar Birov, Elissaveta Gourova
University <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>ia, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics and Informatics, S<strong>of</strong>ia,
Bulgaria
Abstract: Today technology evolution and innovations enrich <strong>the</strong>
knowledge society. Organizations have in hand rich varieties <strong>of</strong> methods
in <strong>the</strong>ir attempts to measure <strong>the</strong> performance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own strategies and
business, and <strong>the</strong>ir business health. There are good practices in
developing strategies. There are also good practices <strong>of</strong> using and
implementing forecasting tools. But which combination could lead to
success is <strong>the</strong> biggest pain for <strong>the</strong> companies. Should <strong>the</strong> company
exchange its strategic decision maker? Or should <strong>the</strong> company choose
different strategic tools? Or how to reach future and see what will be <strong>the</strong>
need <strong>the</strong>n, so to start developing it now? What combination <strong>of</strong> tools and
s<strong>of</strong>t techniques should be implemented? Those are hard questions, and
answers are even harder. This paper can’t <strong>of</strong>fer an answer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, but
an attempt to arrange <strong>the</strong> priorities.Design / methodology / approach:
The design methodology used for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is based on
qualitative research, interviews, toge<strong>the</strong>r with literature review. As a
86

esult comes powerful general and in <strong>the</strong> same time personally oriented
approach. Findings: Developing a strategy is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> milestones in
business lifecycle. Balanced Scorecard methodology is proven powerful
tool for developing <strong>of</strong> strategy. Combined with forecasting tools for
visioning, it could come to <strong>the</strong> point need to an organization. S<strong>of</strong>t skills
toge<strong>the</strong>r with scientific tools form powerful instrument. Authors envision
as good reason for measuring intangibles placing <strong>the</strong> Human Capital
and its knowledge at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> evolution business tree. As a path to
this is believe that intangibles could be monetized. This is valid
especially at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> current recession with all its varieties. It is a time
for revolution and for a new jump. This might be based on patterns and
mixed with advanced innovative analysis and solution. Inventing such
methodology should involve changes in legislative systems incorporating
financial and nonfinancial tools especially related to intangibles and its
integration in balance sheets.Research limitations: One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most
sensitive, delicate and difficult issue is related to create right mission and
vision, although only future could prove if <strong>the</strong> vision and mission are right
or not. The outcome is normally clear only when <strong>the</strong> future comes, and
with it <strong>the</strong> financial results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strategy, developed on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong>se vision and mission. For this purpose are used forecasting tools as
scenarios, trends, picture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> future methods etc. There are well
known methodologies for developing a strategy. There are also
forecasting tools for defining and developing visions. Combining <strong>the</strong>se
two is limited by human decisions from one organization to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r.
Limitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research is related to well-known published good
practices as well as not so well known organizational practices and
methods. There are additionally o<strong>the</strong>r strategic tools, not published and
not known as good or any practices at all. It is usual practice, as many
companies close innovations internally in <strong>the</strong> company. Originality /
value: The paper discusses <strong>the</strong> need <strong>of</strong> creativeness and art work
alongside technology based strategy development and organizational
performance measurement. It presents analysed results <strong>of</strong> narrative
research and interviews among executives and top and middle layer
management in famous innovative organizations in business and
academia in Germany and United Kingdom. The paper gives valuable
insight for arisen need <strong>of</strong> development <strong>of</strong> new methodology, technology
based and in <strong>the</strong> same time with futuristic elements.
Keywords: innovation, knowledge management, forecasting tools,
strategy development, futurism, balanced scorecard
87

Role <strong>of</strong> Intelligence Generation Activities in Building
Legitimacy for Ideas in <strong>the</strong> Front-end <strong>of</strong> Innovation
Outi Vanharanta and Jaana Näsänen
Aalto University School <strong>of</strong> Science, Helsinki, Finland
Abstract: Ideas must become legitimate within organizations in order to
get through <strong>the</strong> decision making in front-end <strong>of</strong> innovation (FEI) and
reach <strong>the</strong> actual product development stage and finally
commercialization. This paper presents an empirical study on legitimacy
building through intelligence generation activities. The empirical material
consists <strong>of</strong> 40 interviews ga<strong>the</strong>red in R&D departments <strong>of</strong> three
companies. In our study we found that customer orientation activities
and more specifically, intelligence generation is a powerful means to
acquire legitimacy for ideas in FEI. Through <strong>the</strong>se activities <strong>the</strong>
acceptance <strong>of</strong> ideas may be advanced ei<strong>the</strong>r intentionally or
unintentionally. We identified six different ways through which
intelligence generation legitimates ideas in FEI: (1) commitment <strong>of</strong>
developers and internal customers to <strong>the</strong> product, (2) avoidance <strong>of</strong>
resistance towards <strong>the</strong> product, (3) facilitation <strong>of</strong> future efforts, (4)
concretization <strong>of</strong> technological potential to decision makers, (5)
demonstration <strong>of</strong> developers’ technological capabilities to decision
makers, and (6) sustaining decision makers’ interest towards <strong>the</strong> idea.
Previous research presents ways to ga<strong>the</strong>r understanding about
customer needs and preferences in order to develop products that cater
to those needs as well as acquire an understanding <strong>of</strong> possible market
potential. This study shows that <strong>the</strong>se activities have a larger impact on
organizations by providing means for achieving acceptance for <strong>the</strong>
ideas. In this paper we show a previously unrecognized outcome for
intelligence generation activities and demonstrate concrete examples <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> exploitation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se activities in organizations. The objective <strong>of</strong>
legitimation <strong>of</strong> ideas through customer orientation activities has not been
discussed in previous literature, thus this study widens <strong>the</strong>
understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> objective and impact <strong>of</strong> customer orientation in FEI.
This research brings into attention that intelligence generation is a
powerful mechanism through which ideas are legitimated to internal
customers, developers and decision makers, and trust towards
developers is created.
Keywords: innovation, front-end, legitimacy, customer
orientation, intelligence generation
88

Awakening Resilience! An Innovative Pedagogical
Approach: Enculturated and Domain-Centered Learning
Christopher Walach
University <strong>of</strong> Maryland University College, USA
Abstract: Future organizational traumas, crises, and disasters will
redefine <strong>the</strong> management field increasing demand for innovative and
resilient pedagogical solutions. No organization is immune to <strong>the</strong> effects
<strong>of</strong> trauma, whe<strong>the</strong>r direct or indirect, and many are unprepared.
Organizations can avoid or lessen <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se devastating
occurrences by developing an innovative learning approach toward a
resilience process that includes experiential-based scenarios, reinforced
by interaction, followed by <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> community practice teams.
These practice teams will be developed to function as best practice
within <strong>the</strong> organization, helping leaders understand and implement an
adaptable and flexible, domain-centered pedagogical model into <strong>the</strong>ir
culture that affords individuals and <strong>the</strong>ir collective <strong>the</strong> resilience to
survive trauma, crisis, and disaster. Derived from a literature review, <strong>the</strong>
practical purpose <strong>of</strong> this article is threefold: (a) to provide insight on
using an enculturated and domain-centered concept model for teaching
resilience; (b) to introduce innovative and resilient methodologies and to
determine <strong>the</strong> practicality <strong>of</strong> such approach within organizations; and (c)
to provoke an intense interest in <strong>the</strong> feasibility <strong>of</strong> engendering qualities
attendant to high levels <strong>of</strong> resilience among members <strong>of</strong> any organized
entity.
Keywords: resilience pedagogy, resilience domain-centered,
enculturation model, innovative teaching
New Perspectives on Open Innovation: Sources <strong>of</strong>
Openness for Innovation in UK high-tech SMEs
David Weiss
University <strong>of</strong> Cambridge, Institute for Manufacturing, Cambridge,
UK
Abstract: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fuel economies
around <strong>the</strong> globe and outweigh <strong>the</strong>ir large counterparts, not only in
number but also in overall impact on society. At <strong>the</strong> same time,
uncertainty in <strong>the</strong> global marketplace has given rise to a fundamental
change in innovation strategies, causing Open Innovation (OI) to
develop into standard practice in many organizations. However, <strong>the</strong>
focus <strong>of</strong> OI studies on large multinational companies (MNCs) has led to
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an unfortunate bias within <strong>the</strong> literature. This study addresses this gap in
current research by analysing <strong>the</strong> sources <strong>of</strong> openness for innovation in
<strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> UK high-tech SMEs. Theoretically, <strong>the</strong> paper refers to <strong>the</strong>
resource-based view and stresses <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> internal capabilities
in OI activities. The research is based on three case studies <strong>of</strong> SMEs in
<strong>the</strong> Cambridge technopole region, a mature high-tech business ecosystem
in <strong>the</strong> East <strong>of</strong> England. Qualitative data was collected through
semi-structured interviews as well as in-depth research into <strong>the</strong> casecompanies.
The data was <strong>the</strong>n coded and categorised in order to
identify common sources <strong>of</strong> openness for innovation. The main findings
reveal that while SMEs are generally open towards OI activities key
differences remain within <strong>the</strong> OI process compared to larger companies.
Credibility and trustworthiness <strong>of</strong> external actors involved seems
essential to OI implementation in SMEs. Moreover, sources <strong>of</strong> openness
for innovation in SMEs seem to be ra<strong>the</strong>r external compared to MNCs,
which benefit from a more sophisticated internal eco-system. These
differences are represented in a preliminary framework <strong>of</strong> OI
implementation derived from <strong>the</strong> qualitative research. It is important to
state that this is initial exploratory research with limits in terms <strong>of</strong>
generalisablity, written as a grounded starting point for fur<strong>the</strong>r research
in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> OI in SMEs.
Keywords: open innovation; smes; capabilities; case study; innovation
sources
The Role <strong>of</strong> Standardization and Standards in <strong>the</strong> Context
<strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurship: Conceptional Model and Insights
from Case Studies
Simone Wurster and Knut Blind
Technische Universität Berlin, Chair <strong>of</strong> Innovation Economics
Berlin, Germany
Abstract: Schumpeter’s pioneering research drew <strong>the</strong> interest <strong>of</strong>
countless scholars worldwide to entrepreneurship topics. A relatively
new field in this context is <strong>the</strong> international entrepreneurship research
stream. The investigation <strong>of</strong> Born Globals - companies that operate in
international markets from <strong>the</strong> earliest days <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir establishment (see
Knight and Cavusgil, 1996) is one <strong>of</strong> its main topics. Standardization has
been crucial for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> industrial society and standards
have been important issues for international technology systems,
business practice and economics (see Blind, 2004, Suarez, 2004,
Shapiro and Varian, 1999). The underlying research stream is about 30
years old (see Egyedi and Blind, 2008) but <strong>the</strong>re has been hardly any
90

linkage to <strong>the</strong> Born Global research stream so far. The paper shows how
Born Globals can successfully establish <strong>the</strong>ir technologies and/or
products as international de facto standards. Model development is done
in ten steps. Based on <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 22 case studies (1) success
factors are identified and coded in <strong>the</strong> case study documents (2). Four
success factors groups related to <strong>the</strong> company, demand, competition
and o<strong>the</strong>r issues are created (3) and <strong>the</strong> stages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> standardization
process are modeled (4). Common success factors were identified and
assigned to <strong>the</strong> phases <strong>of</strong> standard setting (5). Afterwards, three
classifications <strong>of</strong> young standard establishers were developed (6). They
reveal specific success factor constellations (7). Based on <strong>the</strong>
constellations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> success factors and <strong>the</strong> frequency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
occurrence, a category ‘dynamics <strong>of</strong> standardization’ with specific
dimensions is identified (8). Its dimensions are assigned to <strong>the</strong> process
phases <strong>of</strong> standardization by an extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assignment <strong>of</strong> success
factors to standardization stages (9). Finally, a dynamic model for setting
and maintaining standards with <strong>the</strong> multi-dimensional core category
‘dynamics <strong>of</strong> standardization’ is developed (10). The model enriches <strong>the</strong>
few <strong>the</strong>oretical frameworks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Born Global research which are
available so far, as well as first approaches that consider dynamic
aspects in standards research (e.g. Egyedi and Blind, 2008).
Keywords: Born Globals, de facto standards, standardization model
Examination Into <strong>the</strong> Firm Without Fundamental
Technology: A Case Study <strong>of</strong> Nintendo
Kiyohiro Yamazaki
Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan
Abstract: The purpose <strong>of</strong> this study is to examine how <strong>the</strong> firm without
fundamental technology to gain <strong>the</strong> competitive advantage. This study
takes Nintendo in <strong>the</strong> home video game machine industry in Japan as
an object <strong>of</strong> study. Nintendo does not own <strong>the</strong> fundamental technology
<strong>of</strong> home video game machine, such as CPU and GPU. However, it could
develop <strong>the</strong> Wii. As a result, this paper points out Nintendo gains <strong>the</strong> two
advantages, economic advantage and organizational advantage.
Keywords: firm without fundamental technology, economic advantage,
organizational advantage, game machine industry, Nintendo
91

Comparative Assessment <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurs’ and Non-
Entrepreneurs’ Cognitive Style Index
Mohammad Reza Zali, Saeed Rezaei Toroghi, and Maryam Mirzaei
University <strong>of</strong> Tehran, Iran
Abstract: Personal characteristics <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs have been a central
focus <strong>of</strong> research into entrepreneurship in recent decades; although,
personality traits approach differentiates entrepreneurs from nonentrepreneurs.
Currently, a new approach entitled “Entrepreneurial
Behavior-Cognitive” is researched by scholars who consider cognitive
differences. Cognitive perspective refers to <strong>the</strong> activities such as
thinking, knowing and processing information. Thereupon, Cognitive
style refers to <strong>the</strong> possibility that different people may carry out <strong>the</strong>se
processes differently, but in a relatively consistent manner. Cognitive
styles are two approaches that reflect <strong>the</strong> analytical and intuitive sides <strong>of</strong>
an individual. Intuitive individuals are likely to discover opportunities by
observing cues or signals through unfamiliar and unorganized
information that is processed in a syn<strong>the</strong>tic and holistic manner.
Analytical individuals rely on linear, sequential processing <strong>of</strong> information
that enables <strong>the</strong>m to evaluate and plan for <strong>the</strong> new venture. Cognitive
Style Index (CSI) is an applicable tool to know individuals with high
potentials for success in entrepreneurship by understanding <strong>the</strong>
orientation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir cognitive style. The aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to study <strong>the</strong>
cognitive style <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs and its dimensions (n=90) and compare
it with <strong>the</strong> non-entrepreneurs (n=89). In this research <strong>the</strong> CSI
questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha=0.852) is used to assess <strong>the</strong> intuitive
thinking style versus <strong>the</strong> analytical style. Based on <strong>the</strong> final result <strong>of</strong> this
study, compared with <strong>the</strong> non entrepreneurs (CSI M = 39.6),
entrepreneurs (CSI M = 30.5) are more advanced in <strong>the</strong>ir intuitive
cognitive style. Statically, <strong>the</strong>re was a significant difference. This could
be a well defined explanation to why entrepreneurs just seem to be at
<strong>the</strong> right place at <strong>the</strong> right time with <strong>the</strong> correct decisions, and provides a
greater understanding <strong>of</strong> why entrepreneurs take a particular course <strong>of</strong>
action such as finding and evaluating new opportunities and new venture
creation processes.
Keywords: entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial behaviour, cognitive,
intuition, Cognitive Style Index (CSI)
92

Positive Leadership, Shared Values and Key Performance
Indicators in <strong>the</strong> Pursuit <strong>of</strong> High Performance
Przemyslaw Zbierowski and Mariusz Bratnicki
University <strong>of</strong> Economics in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Abstract: The study attempts to investigate <strong>the</strong> relationships between
most significant positive traits <strong>of</strong> high performing SMEs – those
concerning leadership and organisational culture, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> key
performance indicators (KPIs), and actual performance. The practical
objective is to provide recommendations concerning leadership
behaviours, creation <strong>of</strong> shared values and use <strong>of</strong> KPIs in achieving high
organisational performance. Our prior study on positive phenomena and
high performance in SMEs revealed that most significant positive factors
contributing to success are: vision salience, empowerment (especially
meaning and competence), trust, fairness and improvisation (especially
spontaneity and persistence). We argue that those factors in SMEs are
mainly shaped by leaders, <strong>of</strong>ten owners-managers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firms. There is
much evidence that leadership style (especially transformational one)
has strong impact on performance (eg. Lim & Ployhart, 2004) <strong>the</strong>refore
we decided to extend <strong>the</strong> model <strong>of</strong> positive traits with hope, optimism
and transformational leadership (idealized influence, inspirational
motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized
consideration).Based on <strong>the</strong> feedback we received on our prior work we
take a slightly different perspective <strong>of</strong> high performance. Instead <strong>of</strong>
measuring performance using arbitrary measures we use KPIs to
evaluate if <strong>the</strong> firm is successful against performance expectations
(performance-to-plan). That approach requires qualitative research as
we want to investigate <strong>the</strong> extent to which KPIs are used and <strong>the</strong> set <strong>of</strong>
KPIs varies among firms, along with <strong>the</strong>ir importance and constant
monitoring by owner-manager. We closely examine small group <strong>of</strong>
gazelles (pr<strong>of</strong>itable, high growing SMEs with good reputation) focusing
on relationships between positive traits and cultural factors, use <strong>of</strong> KPIs
and performance. The qualitative methods are supported with data
envelopment analysis (DEA). As <strong>the</strong> previous research shows <strong>the</strong>re is
high level <strong>of</strong> positive traits among leaders in high performing SMEs.
There are however some differences in positive traits, transformational
style dimensions and shared values, so <strong>the</strong>re is not “one size fits all”
pattern <strong>of</strong> high performance leader. The use <strong>of</strong> KPIs is ra<strong>the</strong>r low and
informal, performance is mostly measured using key results indicators.
The study has implications for research (more insight into high
performing SMEs), business practice (best practice <strong>of</strong> behaviours and
use <strong>of</strong> KPIs) and educators (focusing attention on crucial behaviours and
93

shared values). The study adds to understanding high performance <strong>of</strong>
SMEs, especially its antecedents in positive traits and use <strong>of</strong> KPIs. It
merges well-established <strong>the</strong>ories and notions (such as transformational
leadership and KPIs) with new approaches (such as positive
organisational scholarship (POS) and high performance organisation
(HPO)).
Keywords: key performance indicators; high performance; positive
traits; transformational leadership
Much Room to Foster <strong>the</strong> Motivation <strong>of</strong> Researchers:
Evidence from Slovenia
Elizabeta Zirnstein
University <strong>of</strong> Primorska, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Management, Koper, Slovenia
Abstract: Innovations are one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key factors, influencing <strong>the</strong>
development and <strong>the</strong> progress <strong>of</strong> any society. Innovation capabilities <strong>of</strong>
companies depend on a variety <strong>of</strong> factors, such as R&D expenditure,
knowledge management processes, culture, organization structure,
management systems etc. In search <strong>of</strong> new, innovative ideas and
solutions <strong>the</strong> undertakings tend to co-operate more and more <strong>of</strong>ten also
colleges, universities and o<strong>the</strong>r public research institutions, in which
research is actually one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir basic missions. If once <strong>the</strong> purpose and
<strong>the</strong> pinnacle <strong>of</strong> scientific research work <strong>of</strong> scientists, employed at <strong>the</strong>
universities and research institutes, was publication <strong>of</strong> research results
in scientific magazines and presentations at <strong>the</strong> conferences (result <strong>of</strong>
basic research), today <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> research are conveyed through
patents, trademarks and o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> commercial application to a
much greater extent. Consequently, <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong> innovation is tightly
related to <strong>the</strong> co-relation between <strong>the</strong> universities and economy. This
paper seeks to provide insights into researchers’ motives to innovate.
Although motivation has been investigated in many fields, <strong>the</strong>re is not
much to be found with regard to how to motivate <strong>the</strong> researchers at
universities, research institutes and last but not least in <strong>the</strong> enterprises
to research and to innovate. Hereby, we present <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> a
research, which analysed what motivates and what hinders <strong>the</strong>
Slovenian researchers, foremost those involved in patentable inventions,
at <strong>the</strong>ir work. We asked <strong>the</strong> researchers which factors ei<strong>the</strong>r as incentive
or as obstacle influence most <strong>the</strong>ir scientific research work and in this
regard <strong>the</strong> patent activity in different phases <strong>of</strong> research process. The
picture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> factors (hindrances and motivators), collected through our
research, could present a strong support in planning and forming <strong>the</strong>
work <strong>of</strong> researchers at universities, research institutes and in
94

enterprises. Based on <strong>the</strong> results obtained through <strong>the</strong> research we can
conclude that <strong>the</strong> Slovenian universities and research institution have
still a lot <strong>of</strong> work to do in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> increase <strong>of</strong> efficiency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> scientific
research activity. Considering <strong>the</strong> Herzberg motivation <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>the</strong>
factors, which especially encourage <strong>the</strong> researchers towards research
work, should be integrated in <strong>the</strong> work environment as much as
possible; those, taking <strong>the</strong>ir motivation away, should be eliminated or at
least limited. The findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research will be <strong>of</strong> special importance to
<strong>the</strong> management persons <strong>of</strong> universities, research institutes and
enterprises, who are responsible for setting up an encouraging and
motivational work environment with <strong>the</strong> aim to achieve higher innovation
and more effective research.
Keywords: scientific research, employee rewards, innovation,
incentives and obstacles, Herzberg motivation <strong>the</strong>ory, university
incubators
95

PhD
Papers
97

Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) role in
Innovation System
Jaione Agirre Uranga, and Antonio Gil Ruiz
Fundación Tekniker, Spain
Abstract: The paper proposes a four dimensions absorptive capacity
model, focused on analyzing Research and Technology Organization’s
learning and innovation strategies. The model is composed by: (a)
absorptive capacity, (b) learning processes, and (c) knowledge base
<strong>the</strong>ory in innovation system. The aim <strong>of</strong> this paper is to extend <strong>the</strong>
knowledge-based view by providing an analysis model <strong>of</strong> how
organization learn and manage knowledge to encourage innovation
process. As RTOs are distributed knowledge systems, and active part <strong>of</strong>
an innovation system, it is essential to <strong>the</strong>oretically identify and
empirically test <strong>the</strong> existence and effectiveness <strong>of</strong> different strategies
that promote interactions and knowledge creation. Based on RTO´s
case analysis, we propose a RTO´s learning strategy classification,
distinguishing between “science model”, “business model” and “open
model”; which will allow identifying particular innovation challenges that
RTO´s are facing as well as specific areas to promote innovations.
Keywords: Absorptive capacity; RTO, Learning process; Knowledge
base, open innovation
Analyzing Intellectual Property Rights: Current Private
Reward System and Alternative Institutional Solutions
Maiia Deutschmann
<strong>European</strong> University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
Abstract: The paper handles <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> appropriate institutional
arrangements that would stimulate innovativeness within a country. First,
efficiency and appropriateness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current system <strong>of</strong> intellectual
property rights protection, called “current private reward system”, are
being critically analyzed. Arguments that support or criticize <strong>the</strong> current
system <strong>of</strong> intellectual property rights protection are based on economic
and philosophical perspectives. Own empirical research based on <strong>the</strong>
most recent data from <strong>the</strong> EU and o<strong>the</strong>r countries support <strong>the</strong>
substantial importance <strong>of</strong> strong intellectual property protection for
innovativeness. However, <strong>the</strong> results cannot stipulate whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> old
“reward system” is <strong>the</strong> best alternative. Second, alternative mechanisms
to stimulate innovativeness and technological progress are introduced
99

and analysed. They are grouped in two types: a) amendments within <strong>the</strong>
present private reward system and b) totally new public intellectual
property systems. These are possibilities that would encourage
innovation without providing (excessive) monopolistic rights to inventors.
Keywords: intellectual property rights, intellectual property protection,
private reward system
Toward a Theory <strong>of</strong> Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Screen
Production
Ella Henry
Auckland University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract: Māori are <strong>the</strong> indigenous people <strong>of</strong> New Zealand. This paper
reports on a study <strong>of</strong> Māori who own screen production companies, and
explores <strong>the</strong>ir reasons for becoming entrepreneurs. There has been an
increase in research on indigenous entrepreneurship (Dana, 2007) and
Māori entrepreneurship in particular. This may be attributed to <strong>the</strong>
research conducted as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> GEM NZ study, which found Māori
were amongst <strong>the</strong> most entrepreneurial populations in <strong>the</strong> world
(Frederick et.al. 2003, 2006). Whilst exploratory and descriptive studies
have proliferated, <strong>the</strong>re has been little attempt to elucidate <strong>the</strong>oretical
frameworks, to better understand, predict and enhance Māori
entrepreneurship. None<strong>the</strong>less, researchers in this field acknowledge
<strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship to Māori economic development,
and <strong>the</strong> critical role <strong>of</strong> Māori development for <strong>the</strong> New Zealand economy.
Early findings have highlighted factors that all respondents hold strong,
albeit varying, views about: Mana Tangata: Identity Manawanui:
Efficacy, self-belief Mana Motuhake: Control, desire for selfdetermination
Te Wairua Auaha: In combination, <strong>the</strong>se variables
enhance <strong>the</strong> creative spirit and emancipatory nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
organisations. The abovementioned variables are particularly
noteworthy, as much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> literature on indigenous peoples focuses on
<strong>the</strong> impacts <strong>of</strong> colonisation, imperialism and racism, and how <strong>the</strong>se have
pr<strong>of</strong>oundly and negatively affected <strong>the</strong>ir identity, self-efficacy and selfdetermination
(Walker, 1990; Turpel, 1992; Maaka and Anderson, 2006).
This tentative <strong>the</strong>ory highlights <strong>the</strong> capacity for emancipation that
entrepreneurship provides to indigenous peoples. It is argued that this
research will contribute to indigenous entrepreneurship and
emancipatory indigenous entrepreneurship <strong>the</strong>ory.
Keywords: indigenous entrepreneurship, emancipatory
entrepreneurship
100

Literature Review <strong>of</strong> Business Incubation
Søren Berg Jørgensen
Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
Abstract: Small companies are considered to represent <strong>the</strong> largest
division for <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> jobsin <strong>the</strong> economy and <strong>the</strong> affirmative
influence <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship in economic development seems to be
well-recognised. This hascaptured <strong>the</strong> attention <strong>of</strong> policymakers and
given rise to a need for business-friendly initiatives targeting
entrepreneurs and small businesses. The launch <strong>of</strong> publicly-supported
business incubators appears to be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se political initiatives. The
purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is <strong>the</strong>refore to provide <strong>the</strong> reader with an in-depth
literature review on <strong>the</strong> subject <strong>of</strong> business incubation and to highlight
gaps for fur<strong>the</strong>r research. Literature within <strong>the</strong> field highlights different
success and failure factors for business incubators. Some researchers
argue that <strong>the</strong> primary value-added feature <strong>of</strong> business incubationis <strong>the</strong>
structure and transfer <strong>of</strong> knowledge throughout <strong>the</strong> incubator network,
<strong>the</strong>reby creating conditions that facilitate <strong>the</strong> commercialisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
innovations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> incubatees. O<strong>the</strong>rs explicitly ground <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> relationship between <strong>the</strong> incubation manager and <strong>the</strong> incubatees in
<strong>the</strong> interdependent co-production <strong>of</strong> a value-added incubation process,
while newer research has focused on <strong>the</strong> importance<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> networking
elements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> business incubationphenomenon, stating that this is <strong>the</strong>
most value-added factor inbusiness incubatorinitiatives. These examples
are only a few <strong>of</strong> those which seem to have an impact on BI initiatives
and <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial venture creation process which business
incubators are meant to support. This paper <strong>the</strong>refore looks deeper into
<strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong> business incubation. This review highlights different gaps in
<strong>the</strong> literature and argues that business incubator initiators may believe
that <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir concept lies elsewhere, as customer satisfaction
surveys have shown that <strong>the</strong>re seems to be a mismatch between what
entrepreneurs and startup companies want and what business
incubators<strong>of</strong>fer. The lack <strong>of</strong> focus on entrepreneurship <strong>the</strong>ory within <strong>the</strong>
business incubation field raises <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r business
incubationmanagers and initiators really understand <strong>the</strong>ir clients and <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial venture creation process.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; business incubators
101

Entrepreneurial Success Model <strong>of</strong> Services SMEs
Noor Hasni Juhdi
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Abstract: This study examines entrepreneurial success at individual
level <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs as <strong>the</strong> function <strong>of</strong> mainly psychological state
constructs. Entrepreneurial success is asserted to comprise <strong>of</strong> financial
and psychological measures <strong>of</strong> performance. Financial and
psychological measures <strong>of</strong> performance as criteria <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial
success demand variance <strong>of</strong> understanding regarding relationships with
<strong>the</strong> driving factors. This is a quantitative research and uses
questionnaire survey for data collection. Respondents are <strong>the</strong> foundingentrepreneurs
<strong>of</strong> established services SMEs in Malaysia. Using
hierarchical multiple regression analysis, several hypo<strong>the</strong>sis are
expected to show positive relationships among <strong>the</strong> constructs hopefully
answering <strong>the</strong> research questions such as: 1) To what extent
entrepreneurial success is <strong>the</strong> function <strong>of</strong> positive psychological states
such as psychological capital and entrepreneurial work engagement?;
and 2) To what extent service orientation is related to entrepreneurial
work engagement, and subsequently to entrepreneurial success among
services SMEs in Malaysia? Drawing on positive psychology, <strong>the</strong> study
proposes that <strong>the</strong>re are strong relationships between entrepreneurial
success and entrepreneurial work engagement. Additionally, it is
expected that psychological capital and service orientation contribute to
entrepreneurial success through entrepreneurial work engagement.
Among o<strong>the</strong>rs, <strong>the</strong> limitation <strong>of</strong> this study is cross-sectional in approach.
Simple random sampling is used to ensure a broad representation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
target population since generalizability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial success
measurements is expected to be relevant at least for services SME
population in Malaysia. As a conclusion, entrepreneurial success model
needs to be expanded to consider <strong>the</strong> important roles <strong>of</strong> psychological
states in understanding entrepreneurial success at individual
entrepreneur level.
Keywords: entrepreneurial success, psychological performance,
entrepreneurial work engagement, psychological capital
102

Application <strong>of</strong> Structural Equation Modelling to Assess <strong>the</strong>
Impact <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial Characteristics on Students’
Entrepreneurial Intentions
Saeid Karimi 1 , Harm Biemans 1 , Thomas Lans 1 , Zahra Arasti 2 ,
Mohammad Chizari 3 and Martin Mulder 1
1 Wageningen University, The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands
2 University <strong>of</strong> Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: Entrepreneurship is considered to be an important driver for
economic growth. Entrepreneurial intention is, based on <strong>the</strong> literature,
suggested to be a predictor <strong>of</strong> future entrepreneurial behaviour.
Entrepreneurial intention is influenced by several factors including
entrepreneurial characteristics. Several studies have examined <strong>the</strong>
relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and success
entrepreneurs. However, <strong>the</strong>re is very little research available on
personality factors that drive students’ intentions to start a new business.
This study investigates <strong>the</strong> effect <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial characteristics <strong>of</strong>
students at Iranian universities on <strong>the</strong>ir entrepreneurial intentions. A
survey instrument was designed to measure entrepreneurial intentions
as dependent variable as well as entrepreneurial characteristics
including need for achievement, risk-taking propensity, innovativeness,
self-efficacy and need for independence as independent variables. The
sample <strong>of</strong> 347 students included students studying business, agriculture,
and engineering at seven established universities at both graduate and
undergraduate levels. Structural Equation modelling (SEM) was
employed to test causal relationships among independent and
dependent variables. The results indicate that entrepreneurial intention
is significantly influenced by entrepreneurial self-efficacy and need for
achievement. However, risk taking propensity and need for
independence. do not have a direct significant impact on students’
entrepreneurial intentions. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> results show that <strong>the</strong> effect
innovativeness is mediated by entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The results
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study provide educators, administrators and policy makers inside
and outside universities valuable insights with respect to
entrepreneurship education. It may serve students better by increasing
its focus on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and need for achievement.
Keywords: entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial characteristics,
university students, Iran
103

An Investigation into Small Business Activities <strong>of</strong> Croatian
Migrants in Australia
Miro Ljubicic¹, John Breen¹ and Santina Bertone²
¹Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
²Swinburne University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Abstract: Research by Global Entrepreneurial Monitor (GEM) states
that around 12% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s adult population aged between 18 and 64
are active entrepreneurs (GEM, 2002). In global terms <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong>
minorities entering <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial arena has increased significantly
(Levent et. al., 2006). These minority groups are a significant contributor
to <strong>the</strong> economic growth and development at all levels <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world
economy. Research also reveals that 98% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> businesses in Australia
are small to medium enterprises that have contributed significantly to <strong>the</strong>
economy <strong>of</strong> Australia. Around 33% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se small to medium enterprises
are owned by first generation immigrants, ei<strong>the</strong>r English or Non-English
speaking background (ABS, 2006). Croatians form one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> larger
ethnic communities in Australia (Kipp, Clyne and Pauwels, 1995; Collins,
1989), but are <strong>of</strong>ten left out in Australian migration research in particular
when it comes to <strong>the</strong>ir involvement in entrepreneurial business activities.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with small to medium
business operators at <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> this year (2011) and case studies
were prepared describing entrepreneurial motivations and successes <strong>of</strong>
small business owners <strong>of</strong> Croatian descent in Australia, <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong>
such behaviours on business performance, and reports on applicability
<strong>of</strong> existing social <strong>the</strong>ories <strong>of</strong> ethnic entrepreneurship to Croatian
entrepreneurial involvement. Specific questions have been explored
such as, whe<strong>the</strong>r Croatian business start-ups stem from observing
o<strong>the</strong>rs in business, and if pr<strong>of</strong>essional, more skilled migrants, arriving
here in <strong>the</strong> 1990s, have greater or lesser propensity towards selfemployment
than less skilled migrants, arriving as Displaced Persons in
<strong>the</strong> 1960s.
Keywords: Croatian, ethnic entrepreneurship, Australia, ethnic business
motivation, Croatian culture
104

A Conceptual Framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Relationship Between
Values and Small and Medium Entrepreneurs’ Export
Intentions
Kim Hoe Looi 1 and Yusniza Kamarulzaman 2
1
Taylor’s Business School, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia
2
Department <strong>of</strong> Marketing, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business and Accountancy,
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract: Globalization coupled with advancement in technology and
communication present growth and opportunities for many businesses,
including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to operate
internationally. The current trend <strong>of</strong> increased international involvement
<strong>of</strong> SMEs on one hand and lack <strong>of</strong> academic research concerning <strong>the</strong>ir
intentions to internationalize is a strong motivation for investigating
International Entrepreneurship (IE). Scholars in different disciplines had
shown much interest in understanding IE through variety <strong>of</strong> perspectives
and <strong>the</strong>ories. Each discipline mostly focuses only on its own <strong>the</strong>ories
and models, which has limitations in terms <strong>of</strong> analyzing and
understanding entrepreneur from a bigger picture. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>re
are conflicting results on <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> cultural values on
entrepreneurship due to <strong>the</strong> indirect effects <strong>of</strong> values on intentions and
behavior. Although existing literature on international business and
culture suggests <strong>the</strong> integration <strong>of</strong> values and intention, <strong>the</strong>re was no
empirical study conducted to prove <strong>the</strong> relationships to <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> our
knowledge. The purpose <strong>of</strong> this paper is to study <strong>the</strong> motivation behind
international and domestic small and medium entrepreneurs’ intentions
to export to new markets as <strong>the</strong> intersection <strong>of</strong> international marketing,
sociology and psychology <strong>of</strong> entrepreneur, i.e. a multi-disciplinary
approach, which is <strong>the</strong> essence <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship. This paper aims to
contribute to <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> knowledge through <strong>the</strong> integrative conceptual
framework <strong>of</strong> values (Schwartz et al., 2001), beliefs and intentions in <strong>the</strong>
Theory <strong>of</strong> Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) for a broader
understanding <strong>of</strong> individual entrepreneur's motivation to internationalize
<strong>the</strong>ir businesses. This cross-sectional study will include 400 Small and
Medium sized entrepreneurs from a nationally representative sample <strong>of</strong>
SMEs in Malaysia. Data will be collected in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> multiple-item
questionnaire answered by individual entrepreneur defined as owner
cum manager <strong>of</strong> small and medium enterprises drawn from food,
beverages and agriculture industries. Structural equation modeling
(SEM) will be employed in this study to test <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>sized model
consisting <strong>of</strong> latent and observed variables. If empirical support is
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found, this conceptual framework will be useful in designing
entrepreneurship programmes and policies at <strong>the</strong> national level. It is also
valuable to form <strong>the</strong> necessary basis for encouraging and developing
entrepreneurial internationalization activities carried out within <strong>the</strong>
context <strong>of</strong> SMEs.
Keywords: SMEs, international entrepreneur, values, <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> planned
behavior
A Framework Relating Innovation Strategy and Business
Growth in Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Roopa Nagaraju and Elly Philpott
Business and Management Research Institute, University <strong>of</strong>
Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
Abstract: Purpose - In times <strong>of</strong> austerity <strong>the</strong>re is much attention paid to
<strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> small business in economic recovery and <strong>the</strong> need for
business growth in general. Business ‘growth’ is considered to be one <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> most popular and widely known measures <strong>of</strong> any company’s
success (Storey 1994).While advances have been made in <strong>the</strong>
measurement <strong>of</strong> innovation at regional, national and <strong>European</strong> levels
<strong>the</strong>re is still ambiguity around <strong>the</strong> measurement <strong>of</strong> innovation at <strong>the</strong> firm
level, recognition <strong>of</strong> firm level strategy and little attempt to relate grand
<strong>the</strong>ories in innovation strategy and growth to <strong>the</strong> SME context. This
paper provides <strong>the</strong> starting point for a larger study which will reassess
<strong>the</strong> relationship between innovation strategy and business growth in
small business. Design / Methodology - The research approach is
inductive. The author uses a literature review to explore relevant <strong>the</strong>ory
and to develop a provisional framework relating innovation strategy and
business growth. The intention is to subsequently use <strong>the</strong> framework to
empirically explore innovation and business growth in <strong>the</strong> high tech
sector with a view to providing researchers with a mechanism <strong>of</strong>
identifying high growth SMEs. The Originality and Value - The paper is
original and has value in that it provides a fresh look at <strong>the</strong> literature in
this area, providing a basis on which fur<strong>the</strong>r empirical investigation can
be undertaken with <strong>the</strong> SME sector. Paper type - The study forms <strong>the</strong>
first stage <strong>of</strong> a PhD project. The author invites review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> provisional
framework proposed.
Keywords: SME, Innovation strategy, Business growth, Theory and
frame work
106

A Conceptual Framework <strong>of</strong> Agribusiness Product
Development: Carrot, Stick or Both?
Sophie Payne-Gifford
School <strong>of</strong> Agriculture, Policy and Development, University <strong>of</strong>
Reading, UK
Abstract: This PhD paper considers <strong>the</strong> factors that influence
agribusiness innovation and product development. More specifically, this
PhD paper is concerned with multinational corporate suppliers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
inputs to agriculture, ie <strong>the</strong> seeds and chemicals on which modern
industrial agriculture relies. Although business is motivated by pr<strong>of</strong>it, <strong>the</strong>
author argues that this is not <strong>the</strong> only factor driving agribusiness
innovation; innovation and R&D are complex processes emerging from
multiple interactions with multiple framework conditions. This paper
attempts to unravel <strong>the</strong>se conditions by developing a conceptual
framework which will <strong>the</strong>n guide <strong>the</strong> author's empirical fieldwork in an
agribusiness setting. This is a conceptual paper is based on a strand <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> author's PhD literature review. The conceptual framework begins
with <strong>the</strong> agrifood supply chain as <strong>the</strong> starting point <strong>of</strong> conditions
influencing agribusiness innovation. The author posits that all actors
(farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers) in <strong>the</strong> agrifood chain
have an influence on agribusiness, albeit some indirectly felt, such as
though consumer trends. The conceptual framework <strong>the</strong>n expands
outwards from <strong>the</strong> agrifood chain to include conditions such as
regulation (<strong>the</strong> Pesticide Directive), incentives (such as tax credits),
market factors (global trade agreements), <strong>the</strong> agroecological
environment (soil, water, wea<strong>the</strong>r), and pressure groups. The conceptual
framework also includes conditions internal to <strong>the</strong> business such as
corporate structure and strategy. The author argues that if one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se
framework conditions changes enough, it can have a ripple effect on <strong>the</strong>
rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> framework, potentially making a new R&D direction viable.
Keywords: product development, agribusiness, innovation systems,
R&D strategy
Paving <strong>the</strong> Path for Innovation: <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> Romanian
SMEs
Irina Purcarea and Marieta Olaru
Academy <strong>of</strong> Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract: Nowadays, an emphasis on innovation represents an
important factor <strong>of</strong> competitiveness for <strong>the</strong> business environment,
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especially in what concerns <strong>the</strong> small and medium enterprises sector.
Romanian SMEs acknowledge <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> shifting towards an
innovative approach and decide to engage in different types <strong>of</strong>
innovation, in spite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> various obstacles <strong>the</strong>y have to face. Recent
researches, such as <strong>the</strong> research carried out in 2009 by <strong>the</strong> National
Council <strong>of</strong> Medium Sized Private Enterprises in Romania, revealed that
innovation efforts in Romanian SMEs are mostly oriented towards
product innovation and innovation in technology. The paper is based on
<strong>the</strong> research carried out in 2010, an integral part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> doctoral research
that focuses on developing SMEs capacity to innovate with <strong>the</strong> view to
increase <strong>the</strong>ir competitiveness. The questionnaire-based research was
conducted between January and December 2010, on a sample <strong>of</strong> 161
Romanian SMEs, from various economic sectors and covering different
geographical areas. The main objective <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research was to
investigate <strong>the</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> innovation Romanian SMEs engage in,
with an emphasis on 4 types <strong>of</strong> innovation namely product/technology
innovation, business model innovation, organizational innovation and
process innovation. The paper seeks to identify <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> innovation
Romanian SMEs are more inclined to pursue, at <strong>the</strong> same time trying to
paint a picture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> innovation framework established. The paper’s
findings concern Romanian SMEs orientation towards an innovative
organizational culture and allowed a better understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> types <strong>of</strong>
innovation identified by <strong>the</strong> SMEs questioned. The accuracy <strong>of</strong> data
could have been influenced by certain factors such as culture, age and
social status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> respondents. We believe that a future research in
what concerns <strong>the</strong> underlying factors that SMEs should take into
consideration when selecting a specific type <strong>of</strong> innovation to be
implemented could represent <strong>the</strong> starting point in developing a model for
innovation at company level.
Keywords: innovation, SMEs, organizational culture
Innovation Capital and Firm’s Performance in Malaysian
Public Companies
Azlina Rahim 1 , Ruhaya Atan 2 and Amrizah Kamaluddin 2
1 Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kampus Bandaraya Melaka, Malaysia
2 Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia
Abstract: Innovation has been recognized as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> important
factors <strong>of</strong> economic growth. U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Commerce defines
innovation as <strong>the</strong> design, development and implementation <strong>of</strong> new or
altered products, services, processes, organizational structures, and
business models to create value for <strong>the</strong> customer and financial returns
108

for <strong>the</strong> firm practicing innovation. In Malaysia, innovation takes center
stage in <strong>the</strong> New Economic Model that has been recently announced. In
fact, many countries in <strong>the</strong> region and around <strong>the</strong> world now aspire to
drive growth through innovation. Due to its importance, it inspires us to
study on how an innovation capital affect to firm’s performance. The
purpose <strong>of</strong> this study is to contribute to <strong>the</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> innovation
capital in Malaysian Public Companies. The study adopts a quantitative
approach whereby <strong>the</strong> data <strong>of</strong> specific innovation drivers were retrieved
from <strong>the</strong> annual reports <strong>of</strong> Malaysian Public Companies. The study will
also investigate empirically <strong>the</strong> relation between <strong>the</strong> innovation capital
and its impact on firm performance <strong>of</strong> Malaysian Public Companies. The
study evaluates whe<strong>the</strong>r firms with high innovation intensities perform
better than firms with low intensities. Due to <strong>the</strong> mix results in previous
studies, it encourages <strong>the</strong> researchers to conduct such study and
conclude <strong>the</strong>se relationships. The results will extend <strong>the</strong> understanding
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> innovation capital in enhancing <strong>the</strong> performance <strong>of</strong>
companies in <strong>the</strong> developing countries. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> findings from this
study may serve as a useful input for scholars and managers to better
understand <strong>the</strong> implication <strong>of</strong> innovation capital to <strong>the</strong> firm performance.
Thus, managers can use <strong>the</strong> innovation capital information to create
higher value and maintain long-term competitiveness.
Keywords: Innovation capital, firm performance, Malaysia
Can Innovation be Institutionally-Driven?- The Case <strong>of</strong>
Institutional Entrepreneurs in <strong>the</strong> Restructuration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Mauritian Vegetable Supply Chain.
Brinda Ramasawmy and Fatiha Fort
UMR MOISA, Montpellier SUPAGRO, Montpellier, France
Abstract: The reform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sugar protocol between <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> Union
(EU) and <strong>the</strong> African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries affected <strong>the</strong>
Mauritian agricultural sector tremendously: it spelt a decrease <strong>of</strong> 36 per
cent in <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> sugar for producers. In reaction, <strong>the</strong> Mauritian sugar
industry has undertaken a massive diversification within sugar:
production <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r sugar cane products and by-products, as well as
diversification in vegetable production at an industrial level. The entry <strong>of</strong>
large sugar cane producers from <strong>the</strong> corporate sector on <strong>the</strong> vegetable
market has had a number <strong>of</strong> repercussions on <strong>the</strong> vegetable supply
chain, one <strong>of</strong> which being <strong>the</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> institutional entrepreneurs.
A qualitative study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vegetable supply chain was conducted among
<strong>the</strong> different actors concerned. It revealed <strong>the</strong> following findings: new
entrants in <strong>the</strong> vegetable supply chain have caused an institutional
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change. Institutional entrepreneurs have emerged and in turn
established new institutional rules and standards <strong>of</strong> practice that have
changed <strong>the</strong> institutional structure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vegetable supply chain. This
paper identifies at a first stage, two main factors favouring <strong>the</strong>
emergence <strong>of</strong> institutional entrepreneurs in an organisational field.
Firstly, a moderate degree <strong>of</strong> institutionalisation provides <strong>the</strong> adequate
environment for actors to deliberately initiate changes through
entrepreneurial processes. Secondly <strong>the</strong> multiplicity <strong>of</strong> institutional
referents across organisational fields, in this case, <strong>the</strong> sugar cane and
<strong>the</strong> fresh vegetable supply chains, provides <strong>the</strong> right environment for
creative entrepreneurial action. At a second stage, this paper identifies
<strong>the</strong> innovative managerial and marketing practices brought about in
vegetable production and distribution by <strong>the</strong> institutional entrepreneurs,
and <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se new practices on incumbent actors. This study
uses a sociological neoinstitutional perspective and provides empirical
evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> factors affecting actors’ agency and more specifically <strong>the</strong>
conditions in an organisational field that favour strategic behaviour
among actors. This research also helps to shed some light on how
changes in <strong>the</strong> institutional structure <strong>of</strong> a field can drive <strong>the</strong> innovation
process. This paper can help in fur<strong>the</strong>r research on innovation and
institutional entrepreneurship.
Keywords: Sociological neoinstitutionalism, institutional entrepreneurs,
innovation, organisational field, institutional change, institutional strategy
Technological Competence and Sustainable Competitive
Advantage <strong>of</strong> Technology-Intensive SMEs - a Quantitative
Approach
Birgit Stelzer and Leo Brecht
University <strong>of</strong> Ulm, Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology and Process
Management, Helmholtzstraße 22, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Abstract: In scientific literature, <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> innovation in order to
ensure long-term business success is broadly discussed. Recent studies
have shown that ‘technology-push’ innovation strategies have a higher
positive impact on a firm’s performance compared to ‘market-pull’
approaches. According to <strong>the</strong> resource-based view (RBV), companies
accumulate technological resources by exploration or exploitation to
enable technology-push innovations striving for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> core
competencies. In our research, we focus mainly on technology-intensive
small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). We are especially
interested in non-technological capabilities such as managerial,
organizational and social capabilities, how <strong>the</strong>y contribute to <strong>the</strong> firm’s
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technological competence and influence long-term business success.
We understand technological competence to be a multi-dimensional
construct <strong>of</strong> second-order which contains five dimensions: learning
capability, production management, R&D management, technology
management and culture in R&D. These dimensions are determined by
<strong>the</strong> firm’s resources. Therefore, our main research question is how to
measure technological competence and how it influence innovation
activities leading to a sustainable competitive advantage. In our model,
we propose that <strong>the</strong> higher <strong>the</strong> technological competence, <strong>the</strong> higher <strong>the</strong>
company’s innovation performance and its influence on a lasting
business success. As we are interested in additional effects influencing
<strong>the</strong> relationships mentioned above, we embed <strong>the</strong> model in a suitable
framework. We include effects representing <strong>the</strong> company’s environment
such as an intense competition or <strong>the</strong> speed <strong>of</strong> technology diffusion.
Beyond that, we integrate factors which can boost innovation
performance beyond core technology competencies such as marketing
and sales activities. For testing <strong>the</strong> model’s inherent hypo<strong>the</strong>ses, we use
structural equation modeling with <strong>the</strong> partial least square (PLS)
approach. In this paper, we present our model with constructs and
relationships. So far, it has been evaluated on a qualitative level through
expert interviews and focus groups. One key result from qualitative
evaluation indicates that managerial capabilities as well as an innovation
oriented culture have a highly significant impact on a company’s
technological competence. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> experts consider
continuous innovation more important to maintain and achieve
sustainable competitive advantage than a high innovation degree. In
preparation for data analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> quantitative survey where we will
contact more than 6.200 technology-intensive SMEs in Germany, we
propose a multi-level validation procedure for testing <strong>the</strong> model.
Keywords: technological competence, sustainable competitive
advantage, technology strategy, resource-based view, structural
equation modeling
111

Firm Innovation and Role <strong>of</strong> Geography and Clusters in
Bosnia-Herzegovina - Firm Level Insights
Amira Vejzagic-Ramhorst 1 , Panayiotis Ketikidis 2 and Robert
Huggins 3
1 University <strong>of</strong> Sheffield/SEERC, PhD Student
2 Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Europe Research Centre (SEERC) and City College,
Greece
3 Cardiff School <strong>of</strong> Management, UK [mentor]
Abstract: This paper aspires to be a contribution to research on clusters
for developing economies and specifically transition economies, in <strong>the</strong>
following way: by looking at knowledge spillovers and <strong>the</strong> role that
proximity and trust play in facilitating <strong>the</strong>se among firms in Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BiH). There has been no published research on networks
or clusters in BiH, while BiH is an interesting case given its transition to a
market economy, its post-conflict legacy and low degree <strong>of</strong> trust
associated with conflict, complex governance structure as well as high
inflows <strong>of</strong> aid. First, a brief literature review to highlight key concepts
applicable for <strong>the</strong> research is presented, including reference to research
on developing and transitional economies. Following a section on BiH
country context, <strong>the</strong> research methodology is presented, and finally
(preliminary) findings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> field research are presented. The limitation
<strong>of</strong> this paper is <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sample <strong>of</strong> firms (40 firms total) included in
this research phase, <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> findings presented are considered
preliminary.
Keywords: clusters, trust, innovation, Bosnia and Herzgeovina
Exploring <strong>the</strong> Role <strong>of</strong> Perceived Media Needs and
Technology Characteristics in Determining Social Media
Adoption: Conceptual Framework
Izzal Asnira Zolkepli 1 and Yusniza Kamarulzaman 2
1
Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Business, University <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
2
Department <strong>of</strong> Marketing, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business & Accountancy,
University <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract: A new world <strong>of</strong> collaboration and communication between
marketers and consumers has been shaped by <strong>the</strong> growth and
popularity <strong>of</strong> new online media, which, in this research paper, is referred
to as social media. The number <strong>of</strong> social media users has continued to
increase ever since its inception, and, at present, more than a billion
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people from all over <strong>the</strong> world are connected and considered to be
networked through this media. Although <strong>the</strong>re has been some research
conducted to understand <strong>the</strong> phenomena <strong>of</strong> s ocia l media flocking, <strong>the</strong>re
is relatively little and inadequate <strong>the</strong>ory-driven empirical research
available to explain <strong>the</strong> application <strong>of</strong> social media and consumer
tendency to use social media. The existing model <strong>of</strong> consumer media
usage is observed to be less appropriate in capturing <strong>the</strong> depth <strong>of</strong>
consumer social media needs because, unlike o<strong>the</strong>r media, it is
supported by computer-mediated communication technology as its basic
foundation. In addition, consumers adopt innovation in social media
because <strong>of</strong> its perceived helpfulness in satisfying <strong>the</strong> consumer’s
segment <strong>of</strong> needs that arise from two basic points <strong>of</strong> view: one being
consumer social roles and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r being consumer personal
disposition. As social media is highly interactive in nature and most likely
user-controlled, it remains questionable whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> existing consumer
media needs will have <strong>the</strong> same significant impact on social media as
<strong>the</strong> previous media. Therefore, based on <strong>the</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tricomponent
Attitude Model and drawing upon Uses and Gratifications
Theory (UGT) and Diffusion and Innovation Theory (DIT) this paper
seeks to explain <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> this new online media in light <strong>of</strong>
consumer perceived social media needs and <strong>the</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> social
media technology. A conceptual framework for segmenting <strong>the</strong>
behavioural response <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> consumer to social media adoption is
proposed based on <strong>the</strong> affective, cognitive and conative state <strong>of</strong> attitude
formation. With <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> this framework <strong>the</strong> understanding <strong>of</strong>
researchers and practitioners concerning consumer predictive needs
and <strong>the</strong>ir relationship to <strong>the</strong> speed <strong>of</strong> consumer adoption behaviour in
<strong>the</strong> social media will be better understood. It will also provide a deeper
and more complete understanding in designing future targeting
strategies and enhancing customer relationship management (CRM)
with existing and potential consumers through <strong>the</strong> social media platform.
Ke ywords : social media, technology adoption, technology
characteristics, consumer media needs, media uses and gratifications,
tri-component attitude model
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114

Work in
Progress
with Posters
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116

How Narrative Structures Entrepreneurial Discovery
Adam Bock 1 and Gajendran Kandasamy 2
1 University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh,Edinburgh, United Kingdom
2 Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Abstract: Theories <strong>of</strong> opportunity discovery presume a rational world
framework to explain entrepreneurial cognition and behaviour. A
narrative rationality framework that complements Bayesian logic
improves <strong>the</strong> description and interpretation <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial discovery
processes. We develop a preliminary <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> discovery which
incorporates narrative sense-making. This emphasizes active,
contextualized meaning-making during <strong>the</strong> crystallisation and
communication stages <strong>of</strong> discovery. Extending Fisher’s narrative
paradigm, we reconceptualise discovery as a dynamic, convergent
process based on <strong>the</strong> coherence-seeking and narrative fidelity. Data
from scientists and entrepreneurs grounds <strong>the</strong> analysis, while gedanken
experiments facilitate interpretation and <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a grounded
<strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> discovery that incorporates communication. We discuss
implications for entrepreneurship research and present normative <strong>the</strong>ory
for discovery communication.
Keywords: discovery, entrepreneur, narrative rationality, opportunity,
innovation
The Concept <strong>of</strong> Innovation in Libya
Emhamad Hamad and Leslie Arthur
Product Design, School <strong>of</strong> Architecture, Design and <strong>the</strong> Built
Environment, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Abstract ; The importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> innovation in <strong>the</strong> industrial
development and its ability <strong>of</strong> a competitive modern industry has
become basic need, that considered <strong>the</strong> key motivation for growth and
development, which requires <strong>the</strong> preservation <strong>of</strong> human elements
through provide creative educational environment appropriate to <strong>the</strong>
innovation. In addition, <strong>the</strong> Arab world needs to consider new products
with a strong technological content and high value that will support <strong>the</strong>
competitiveness and durability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> industry. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> this
research was to ga<strong>the</strong>r information from within <strong>the</strong> categories that
represent <strong>the</strong> key characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research: education, training,
business, and innovation. A questionnaire was used to determine <strong>the</strong>
current status <strong>of</strong> innovation in Libya as a part a wider development
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process. A survey was carried out with different stakeholders, including
leading Libyan academics and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, working both in Libya and
abroad. The questionnaire was distributed in Libya to academics in
leading universities, teachers, <strong>of</strong>ficials, businesses, engineers, doctors
working abroad, and Libyan students studying at <strong>the</strong> UK
universities.This paper is based on <strong>the</strong> responses <strong>of</strong> 39 survey
respondents on <strong>the</strong> extent to which innovation is considered <strong>the</strong> key for
growth. Innovation remains outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Libyan education curriculum,
both in schools and universities. This strongly suggests that innovation
could come after change culture process in <strong>the</strong> society. This paper is
submitted with <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> stimulating debate concerning <strong>the</strong>
challenges that face innovation management in Libya.
Keywords: Innovation, Product design, Education Training and Libya
Importance <strong>of</strong> Entrepreneurial Activity for Entrepreneurial
Orientation
Torsten Fiegler and Michael Schefczyk
Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Abstract: A wide variety <strong>of</strong> more or less structured entrepreneurial
programmes and lectures exists, but do <strong>the</strong>y really change <strong>the</strong>
willingness to establish a company? The entrepreneurial orientation is
crucial to continue existing plans or to promote new entrepreneurial
ideas. This nascent willingness <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs has to be analysed in
order to indicate <strong>the</strong> influences on entrepreneurial activity. The way <strong>the</strong>
attitude to entrepreneurial orientation is influenced by entrepreneurial
activity is fairly nebulous. Therefore, this paper mainly wants to
investigate <strong>the</strong> relationship between <strong>the</strong>se factors. The hypo<strong>the</strong>ses were
tested by <strong>the</strong> regression model to identify <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> interrelation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial orientation. The data consists <strong>of</strong> 498 questionnaires,
which were completed twice. The asked questions were answered
before <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial activity and additionally afterwards. During <strong>the</strong>
arranged entrepreneurial activity <strong>the</strong> students had <strong>the</strong> task to create
value in one week just by using one pen . The limited resource pen
symbolized <strong>the</strong> resource restriction which symbolizes <strong>the</strong> restriction in
real business. The results showed that <strong>the</strong> activities within <strong>the</strong> project
influenced <strong>the</strong> self-employment. The ability to start an entrepreneurial
career is influenced by <strong>the</strong> participation in entrepreneurial activity.
Moreover, we found that opportunity recognition has a strong
significance but does not develop more intensively during <strong>the</strong>
entrepreneurial activity. These insights have important implications for
entrepreneurial programmes which are seeking a higher orientation <strong>of</strong>
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<strong>the</strong> participants to be an entrepreneur and for <strong>the</strong> configuration <strong>of</strong>
entrepreneurial programmes. Future programmes have to improve <strong>the</strong>
capability <strong>of</strong> opportunity recognition. The results also show that <strong>the</strong>re is
no significant effect on <strong>the</strong> personal attitude. The participants did not
change <strong>the</strong>ir attitudes. To sum up, this analysis intents to measure <strong>the</strong>
specific effects on <strong>the</strong> change <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial orientation. This paper
highlights entrepreneurial activity and <strong>the</strong>ir specific influences to <strong>the</strong>
nascent willingness to establish a company.
Keywords: entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial activity,
entrepreneurship education
How to Support Innovation Process <strong>of</strong> SMEs in Metals
Industry and Mechanical Engineering
Anneli Manninen, Jukka Laitinen and Tarja Meristö
Laurea University <strong>of</strong> Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland
Abstract: To be able to produce new innovations most companies need
external resources and competence. The innovation surroundings
mainly set <strong>the</strong> limits to <strong>the</strong>se resources. The position in <strong>the</strong> value chain
and contact network with o<strong>the</strong>r companies has great effect in SMEs’
ability to innovate and adopt new innovations. Open innovation approach
speeds up and enriches <strong>the</strong> innovation processes. It is important to
create models to support different kinds <strong>of</strong> actors, information,
competence and perceptions coming toge<strong>the</strong>r in decentralized
innovation platforms. Our target companies mainly operate in <strong>the</strong> rural
area or near small cities. Their innovation networks consist, apart from
company networks, mainly <strong>of</strong> developmental organizations, education
and research institutions and o<strong>the</strong>r support organizations. Company
know-how is based on experience ra<strong>the</strong>r than formal competence.
Contact networks are directed towards customers and contractors. We
aim to find <strong>the</strong> elements and networks for a regional innovation system
which enhances SMEs’ ability to innovate and compete in <strong>the</strong> long
range. Our framework includes elements from futures research and
Learning by Developing (LbD) model. The empirical part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research
is based on company interviews and case studies. The target companies
are Finnish SMEs operating in <strong>the</strong> metals industry and mechanical
engineering in different local innovation surroundings. The regional and
local perspective is an important element in innovation networks even
though most companies are dealing with global challenges. We also
include benchmark company interviews to widen <strong>the</strong> critical elements <strong>of</strong>
a regional innovation system. The research clarifies <strong>the</strong> structures <strong>of</strong> a
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egional innovation system and <strong>the</strong> roles <strong>of</strong> SMEs, universities and o<strong>the</strong>r
organisations within it. In syn<strong>the</strong>sis, we introduce <strong>the</strong> future driven core
competence framework for a successful SME, critical elements for <strong>the</strong>ir
successful open innovation environment and implications for fur<strong>the</strong>r
development <strong>of</strong> LbD model and new services for SMEs, like visionary
concept design.
Keywords: innovation, networks, SME
Innovative e-Tool for Construction SMEs: Enabling
Collaborative Restoration <strong>of</strong> Old Buildings
Mikel Sorli 1 , Alberto Armijo 1 and Alfredo Soeiro 2
1 Innovation Systems Unit, TECNALIA, Derio, Spain
2 Department <strong>of</strong> Civil Engineering, University <strong>of</strong> Porto, Porto,
Portugal
Abstract: Big construction organisations strive to stay on <strong>the</strong> bleeding
edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> today’s global competition employing <strong>the</strong> latest Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) tools, which allow <strong>the</strong>m to
streamline <strong>the</strong>ir works and stay competitive in <strong>the</strong> marketplace. Due to
<strong>the</strong> ‘innovation prone’ nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se companies, <strong>the</strong>y are able to
dedicate enough resources and capabilities to adopt expensive ICT
existing solutions or even develop and customise <strong>the</strong>ir own tools. On <strong>the</strong>
o<strong>the</strong>r hand, smaller construction companies, such as <strong>the</strong> Small and
Medium Enterprises (SME) that comprise <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> Europe’s
building industry, do not always count with enough resources to promptly
adopt expensive knowledge management s<strong>of</strong>tware systems that would
allow an efficient performance <strong>of</strong> collaborative construction works.
Additionally, <strong>the</strong> sub-sector working on restoration, retr<strong>of</strong>itting and
maintenance <strong>of</strong> old buildings, which may belong to <strong>the</strong> Cultural Heritage
objects, requires a special need to efficiently protect sensitive features in
<strong>the</strong> buildings, such as, historical, social and usage value. These
requirements urge this sub-sector to find an immediate and affordable
way to get <strong>the</strong>ir in-house know-how managed. In this regard, H-KNOW
project is motivated by <strong>the</strong> increasing number <strong>of</strong> complex works <strong>of</strong>
rehabilitation <strong>of</strong> buildings that require a rapid and systematic access to
specific knowledge. The project approach is to provide this sub-sector
with innovative solutions that facilitate a promptly access to suitable
competitive knowledge through building a business cooperative network
among SMEs and Research & Technical Development (RTD) partners.
Based on <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> a business opportunity, this networked
infrastructure enables <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> a private collaborative space,
which empowers <strong>the</strong>ir members to share knowledge regarding a specific
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construction industry project derived from that business opportunity.
Summarising, <strong>the</strong> project plans to develop technical solutions based on
ICT that are affordable for <strong>the</strong> targeted SMEs, including knowledge
sharing, collaboration management and training services for engineers.
This Work in Progress paper presents an experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kind, based
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> funded H-KNOW project (FP7-NMP-214567).
Keywords: innovative ICT web tools, collaborative networks,
construction industry SMEs, e-Learning, restoration, knowledge
management
121

122

Non
Academic
Paper
123

124

Innovation Processes for SMEs: Moving from Serendipity
to Strategy
Leslie Martinich 1 and Mila Božič 2
1 Competitive Focus, Austin, Texas, USA
2 BE-I Institute, Dragomer, Slovenia
Abstract: One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> barriers to innovation in small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) is <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> internal infrastructure to support <strong>the</strong>
acceleration <strong>of</strong> innovation. In this paper we show how SMEs can use an
Innovation Council to improve <strong>the</strong>ir effectiveness in commercializing
innovations. The mechanisms and processes <strong>of</strong> an Innovation Council
include idea generation, providing education for <strong>the</strong> project teams about
<strong>the</strong> radical innovation life cycle, setting expectations, helping team
members to accept ambiguity, forecasting technology futures,
recognizing and evaluating opportunities, developing a fast track
screening process and a fast track intellectual property process. In
addition, <strong>the</strong> Innovation Council maintains an Innovation Repository, and
regularly evaluates <strong>the</strong> ideas and projects. They define <strong>the</strong> Innovation
Metrics appropriate to <strong>the</strong>ir business and manage an effective
Innovation Portfolio. Innovation Metrics provide strategic direction for
innovation activities within <strong>the</strong> business and guide <strong>the</strong> allocation <strong>of</strong>
resources. We <strong>of</strong>fer a sample <strong>of</strong> metrics. When an innovative idea is
approved for initial funding, <strong>the</strong> Innovation Council forms a project team
with team members with <strong>the</strong> necessary skills and helps <strong>the</strong>m advance
<strong>the</strong> project through stages. The Innovation Council holds a quarterly
Innovation Roundtable, a meeting with 10-20 people, four to eight
presentations and a chance for cross pollination <strong>of</strong> ideas. Many large
enterprises use <strong>the</strong> mechanisms and processes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Innovation
Council. This paper describes <strong>the</strong> mechanisms and processes
appropriate for SMEs, adapting <strong>the</strong> processes to fit a smaller
organization. This presentation provides <strong>the</strong> scaffolding and structure for
creating an Innovation Council within a business with fewer than 250
employees, with explicit roles and responsibilities, most <strong>of</strong> which are
already done on an ad hoc basis. SMEs can adopt this set <strong>of</strong> processes
without adding headcount. Moving <strong>the</strong> organization from an ad hoc
approach to innovation, to a structured process, moves it from
serendipity to strategy.
Keywords: Innovation, innovation management, innovation strategy,
SMEs
125

126

Abstracts
with Posters
127

128

Entrepreneurship and Regional Development: A Literature
Review
Sabine Müller
Department <strong>of</strong> Management, Aarhus University, Haslegaardsvej 10,
8210 Aarhus, Denmark
Abstract: This literature review examines how entrepreneurship and
regional development has been previously addressed <strong>the</strong>oretically and
empirically. When two fields join toge<strong>the</strong>r an interdisciplinary discourse
may emerge. In this case, Regional Science and Entrepreneurship are
two fields with <strong>the</strong>ir own distinct literatures. The questions are <strong>the</strong>refore,
how do <strong>the</strong>se two fields talk about <strong>the</strong> respective o<strong>the</strong>r? What are <strong>the</strong>
common discourses and what are <strong>the</strong> differences? A literature review
mapping and assessing <strong>the</strong> conceptual evolution, <strong>the</strong> methodological
advancements and <strong>the</strong> empirical contributions <strong>of</strong> this particular
interdisciplinary field has not yet been undertaken. The purpose <strong>of</strong> this
systematic literature review is to provide a comprehensive overview <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> landscape <strong>of</strong> an interdisciplinary field; show its evolution and
progress over <strong>the</strong> past decades and syn<strong>the</strong>size its findings by combining
<strong>the</strong> insights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two literatures. Thereby gaining a fuller understanding
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relation between entrepreneurship and regional development. A
systematic Boolean search <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> period 2000-2010 is conducted in <strong>the</strong>
respective leading journals <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurship and regional science. A
total <strong>of</strong> 130 peer-reviewed articles are reviewed and coded according to
27 pre-defined categories. The findings show a drastic increase <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
number <strong>of</strong> articles from 2004 and onwards, thus <strong>the</strong> conversation seems
highly contemporary. Ano<strong>the</strong>r finding reveals a wealth <strong>of</strong> quantitative
and econometric studies, which however <strong>of</strong>ten do not measure
entrepreneurship on <strong>the</strong> same premises. The cross-citation analysis
reveals that <strong>the</strong> Regional Studies 1994 special issue is vastly cited
which indicates that this special issue has inspired much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recent
research on <strong>the</strong> topic. This systematic literature review increases <strong>the</strong>
transparency <strong>of</strong> an abundant and interdisciplinary body <strong>of</strong> literature as
well reveals important empirical research gaps and conceptual
shortcomings.
Keywords: systematic literature review; entrepreneurship, regional
science; syn<strong>the</strong>sis, interdisciplinary, cross-citation analysis
129

Innovation in <strong>the</strong> International Value Chain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Aes<strong>the</strong>tics Industry
Karen Orengo Serra and Nora Picon Garcia,
University <strong>of</strong> Puerto Rico, Graduate School <strong>of</strong> Business
Administration, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Abstract: A company’s capabilities can be categorized into business
networks, knowledge acquisition, and strategic management. These
capabilities are influenced by <strong>the</strong> constructs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> following orientations:
EO (Entrepreneurial Orientation), MO (Market Orientation), LO (Learning
Orientation) and TO (Technological Orientation). We propose an
Innovation Conceptual Model (ICM) to explain <strong>the</strong> relationship dynamics
between innovation and capabilities as influenced by each orientation.
The model is qualitatively applied to case studies on each key branch
(manufacturer, distributor and retailer) <strong>of</strong> an international value chain in
<strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional aes<strong>the</strong>tics industry. Our findings show that business
networks are a strategic tool used to acquire <strong>the</strong> necessary knowledge
and <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> managerial skills to survive in <strong>the</strong> industry.
Therefore, a well developed communication model between <strong>the</strong> actors <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> value chain, where <strong>the</strong> information flows both up and down is
necessary. The knowledge acquisition process and <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong>
managerial capabilities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entrepreneur in this dynamic industry rely
on market trends as well as consumer behaviour. In addition, R&D&I is
at <strong>the</strong> core <strong>of</strong> innovation in this industry. The manufacturer is <strong>the</strong> only
segment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organization directly involved with R&D&I. However, here
we have seen that <strong>the</strong> retailer and <strong>the</strong> distributor contribute indirectly to
this variable as a mechanism by which to improve business
performance, and attain goals. The constant development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
presented business capabilities is <strong>the</strong> method by which <strong>the</strong> retailer and
distributor support R&D&I. These business capabilities result in
innovations which subsequently have an effect on several SME's
goals.However, according to our model, innovation does not always
have an effect on <strong>the</strong> achievement <strong>of</strong> a firm’s goals. Variables such as
production costs, in-house research, development and innovation,
closed niche market, invasive aes<strong>the</strong>tic medicine, and commercial mass
production help explain <strong>the</strong> observed dichotomies between innovation
outcomes and <strong>the</strong> firm’s goals. This study is based on <strong>the</strong> case method
so it can only develop <strong>the</strong>oretical generalizations. Although this study is
innovative because it examines <strong>the</strong> value chain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> three branches <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional beauty industry, it is focused only on one sector <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
beauty industry, exclusively; <strong>the</strong> regulated skin care products sector. In
this perspective, <strong>the</strong> main limitations <strong>of</strong> this study reveal several
130

directions for fur<strong>the</strong>r research. There is <strong>the</strong> need to replicate <strong>the</strong> study
using quantitative techniques to determine <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> findings hold
for SMEs drawn from o<strong>the</strong>r industries, and applying a comparative
methodology to determine if <strong>the</strong> results also hold for SMEs operating in
<strong>the</strong> commercial beauty sector and those operating in <strong>the</strong> regulated
beauty sector. The empirical scope <strong>of</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r research could help
managers and entrepreneurs to better understand <strong>the</strong> implications <strong>of</strong>
strategic entrepreneurial orientations (MO, EO, LO, and TO) on
innovation outcomes in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> international value chain <strong>of</strong> a
small and medium sized firms, and how innovative results play an
important role to reach some firms' goals. The proposed ICM represents
a useful tool for academics in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> analyzing and
understanding innovation outcomes in <strong>the</strong> value chain <strong>of</strong> SMEs.
Keywords: aes<strong>the</strong>tics industry; innovation; strategic orientations; SMEs,
value chain
Ways and Sources <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Development <strong>of</strong> Social
Entrepreneurship in Russia
Rouslan Pavlov
Central Economics and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Russian
Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Abstract: The development <strong>of</strong> social entrepreneurship in Russia is
faced with some difficulties connected with misunderstanding <strong>of</strong> this
phenomenon. An attempt to specify this term using <strong>the</strong> latest
achievements in this field is made in this paper. The condition <strong>of</strong> social
entrepreneurship in Russia is estimated using <strong>the</strong> utility <strong>the</strong>ory, which
allows for measuring such things as <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial glow, which is
proved to be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most prominent incentives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> "social activity"
<strong>of</strong> business. Some examples <strong>of</strong> institutionalizing social entrepreneurship
are considered, using <strong>the</strong> experiences <strong>of</strong> several countries which
underwent such changes in <strong>the</strong>ir history. The term <strong>of</strong> “social
entrepreneur” as an “innovator” is considered to be effective within a
concept <strong>of</strong> liberal paradigm <strong>of</strong> economic development, but it is deemed
to be one-sided within a context <strong>of</strong> a broader paradigm, that <strong>of</strong>
sustainable development. The basic mechanisms <strong>of</strong> financing social
enterprises are proposed, accounting for <strong>the</strong> opportunities <strong>of</strong> financial
markets and state. Some proposals connected with a modification <strong>of</strong> tax
regulations and broadening <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> providing state guarantees to
<strong>the</strong> enterprises presenting a certain importance for <strong>the</strong> regional
development are given.
Keywords: social entrepreneur, innovation, utility <strong>the</strong>ory
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Identifying Eco-Innovators; A Value Based Approach to
Explain why Consumers Adopt new Ecological Products
Katja Soyez and Sebastian Gurtner
TU Dresden, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business and Economics, Dresden,
Germany
Abstract: Interactions between innovations and environmental issues
are <strong>of</strong> increasing interest to both research and practice. Solving
ecological problems without losing economic competitiveness is <strong>the</strong>
heart <strong>of</strong> eco-innovations. A general increasing concern for <strong>the</strong>
environment results in an escalating demand for environmentally-friendly
products and <strong>the</strong>reby leads to extensive R&D activities. However, <strong>the</strong>
flop rate <strong>of</strong> innovative products reaches alarming levels in some sectors.
To improve effectiveness and efficiency <strong>of</strong> new product development,
innovation managers need to know why consumers adopt an ecoinnovation
and what <strong>the</strong> barriers <strong>of</strong> adoption are. While a large body <strong>of</strong>
literature focuses on green consumer behaviour empirical research on
adoption <strong>of</strong> environmentally-friendly innovations is still in <strong>the</strong> beginning.
The present study aims to identify factors which influence <strong>the</strong> adoption
decision <strong>of</strong> eco-innovators. Thereby, we draw on <strong>the</strong> conceptual model
<strong>of</strong> innovativeness suggested by Midgley and Dowling (1978) and test
two competing extended models. In <strong>the</strong> baseline model innovativeness
is conceptualised on three levels <strong>of</strong> abstraction: innate, domain-specific
and actualised innovativeness. Our study analyses two domains: ecoinnovations
and innovative multimedia equipment. Actualised
innovativeness is operationalised by <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> innovative products
in <strong>the</strong>se domains. Research on green consumer behaviour gave
evidence that values antecede pro-environmental behaviour. Thus, in a
first step <strong>the</strong> baseline model <strong>of</strong> innovativeness is extended by values
which predict ecological behaviour: egoistic, altruistic and biospheric
values. The second model aims at analysing affective antecedences
(e.g., ‘social identify function’) which supposedly influence <strong>the</strong> adoption
<strong>of</strong> innovations with a hedonic benefit. To test <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>oretical model
empirically a cross-sectional study is conducted. We focus on <strong>the</strong> so
called ‘digital natives’, which is <strong>the</strong> main target group <strong>of</strong> innovative
products in this field. In total 446 young consumers were surveyed in
February 2011. First results are derived by exploratory factor analysis
and ordinary least square analysis. The results give strong evidence for
<strong>the</strong> stability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> baseline model. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, biospheric values
influence domain specific eco-innovativeness and actualised
innovativeness. Egoistic values on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand influence domainspecific
eco-innovativeness negatively. In <strong>the</strong> domain multimedia
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innovations <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> values are reverse. Therefore, values
are important antecedents <strong>of</strong> innovativeness but to a different extend in
<strong>the</strong> analysed domains. In <strong>the</strong> second model, <strong>the</strong> affective antecedents
‘social identity function’ and ‘social representations’ explain a large share
<strong>of</strong> variance <strong>of</strong> domain-specific eco and multimedia-innovativeness. Thus,
<strong>the</strong> data supports <strong>the</strong> affective model as well as <strong>the</strong> value-based model.
In a fur<strong>the</strong>r analysis structural equation modelling will be applied to
integrate both approaches The preliminary results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> study provide
valuable insight for practitioners on how to market eco-innovations.
Biospheric values and factors that emphasize <strong>the</strong> hedonic benefit <strong>of</strong> a
new product turn out to be key motives <strong>of</strong> ecological innovativeness and
<strong>the</strong>reby <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> ecological innovations. Product development
<strong>of</strong> new ecological products and marketing campaigns should focus on
biospheric values and emphasise <strong>the</strong> benefit for nature and <strong>the</strong>
biosphere in general. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, fun and enjoyment with new
ecological products play an important role for <strong>the</strong> adoption decision.
Keywords: innovativeness, ecological products, values, green
innovation
Entrepreneurial Attitude Among Doctoral Students; An
Empirical Study
Marion Titgemeyer and Gerold Holtkamp,
Osnabrueck University, Germany
Abstract: There are quite a number <strong>of</strong> studies on <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurial
orientation and attitudes towards founding new business among
university students. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se studies, however, focus on students in
bachelor and master programs and <strong>of</strong>ten neglect doctoral students –
even though <strong>the</strong>se students are an important student group in higher
education and have <strong>the</strong> potential to generate excellent business ideas,
due to <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong>y spend a significant amount <strong>of</strong> time on in-depth
analyses <strong>of</strong> a specific topic. One prerequisite for <strong>the</strong> successful
development <strong>of</strong> ideas into business opportunities is that students get
suitable support from <strong>the</strong>ir university. In order to effectively support and
encourage doctoral students’ entrepreneurial potential, universities need
empirical research on this group <strong>of</strong> students’ needs and attitudes in
terms <strong>of</strong> starting <strong>the</strong>ir own businesses. In addressing this need,
Osnabrueck University analyzed <strong>the</strong> responses <strong>of</strong> 251 PhD-students to
a questionnaire that had been sent out to approximately a 1,000 doctoral
students enrolled at <strong>the</strong> university. The questionnaire consists <strong>of</strong> items
that were specifically designed to elicit data on this group <strong>of</strong> students’
entrepreneurial attitudes. Based on <strong>the</strong> sample <strong>of</strong> 251 responses, <strong>the</strong>
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study explores <strong>the</strong>se students’ entrepreneurial orientation towards
founding <strong>the</strong>ir own new business and compares <strong>the</strong> results with those <strong>of</strong>
studies with a focus on o<strong>the</strong>r student groups. The findings indicate that
<strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> doctoral students who responded to <strong>the</strong> questionnaire are
interested in starting <strong>the</strong>ir own businesses. Many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m had already
carefully looked into <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> becoming an entrepreneur by <strong>the</strong>
time <strong>the</strong>y answered <strong>the</strong> questionnaire and some had already founded
<strong>the</strong>ir own business. The results suggest that a higher number <strong>of</strong> doctoral
students are interested in founding <strong>the</strong>ir own business than is <strong>the</strong> case
amongst o<strong>the</strong>r student groups. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> doctoral
students actually becoming entrepreneurs is also higher than amongst
o<strong>the</strong>r student groups. The doctoral students also seem to have
particularly clear ideas in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> assistance <strong>the</strong>y expect
from <strong>the</strong> university, including financial support and advanced training on
aspects related to starting a business.
The study also identifies some gender-related patterns in <strong>the</strong> responses
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> participants. These indicate a strong interest towards starting a
business amongst female doctoral students. However, as a group,
female doctoral students are underrepresented as business founders.
This suggests that especially female doctoral students need to receive
encouragement from universities in becoming entrepreneurs. The
responses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group <strong>of</strong> male doctoral students indicate that <strong>the</strong>y
prefer to visit firms started by o<strong>the</strong>r entrepreneurs and to have
entrepreneurial role models.
The results would be helpful for universities in getting a realistic view on
<strong>the</strong> present entrepreneurial attitude <strong>of</strong> doctoral students. This could open
up a new perspective to improve <strong>the</strong> entrepreneurship supports at <strong>the</strong>
universities. Based on our results <strong>the</strong> efforts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> universities to
encourage <strong>the</strong>ir doctoral students to fur<strong>the</strong>r develop <strong>the</strong>ir business ideas
could be advanced. This would lead to carry out more business ideas on
a high knowledge level, create more successful entrepreneurs, and drive
<strong>the</strong> economy.
Keywords: doctoral students, entrepreneurship support, entrepreneurial
orientation,gender-related entrepreneurship support, high potentials
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Innovation Driver Retail
Bernd Hallier
EHI Retail Institute/<strong>European</strong> Retail Academy , Cologne, Germany
Abstract: Mostly “innovation” is ei<strong>the</strong>r analyzed/benchmarked by <strong>the</strong>
performance <strong>of</strong> individual business unites (micro-economics) or by
macro-economic factors. Less in <strong>the</strong> focus were/are segments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
total market – like for example retail. Underestimated is <strong>the</strong> impact for
globalization and <strong>the</strong> total supply chain by <strong>the</strong> big international players <strong>of</strong>
retail.
While Schumpeter discovered <strong>the</strong> pendulum <strong>of</strong> “innovation” and
“imitation” <strong>the</strong> Russian Kondratjeff described at macro-economic level
industrial phenomena like from 1800 onwards <strong>the</strong> innovations via <strong>the</strong>
steam engine and cotton, later railway and steel, next electrical
engineering and chemistry. Every 50 years <strong>the</strong>re was ano<strong>the</strong>r innovative
industrial push. If Schumpeter’s businesses are <strong>the</strong> smallest research
unit – <strong>the</strong> next step towards a macroeconomic agglomeration are
“business sectors”. Taken merchants and retail <strong>the</strong> segment systematic
sees here innovation cycles <strong>of</strong> 25 years since 1800. In 1800 colonial
trade and sea-ports like London, Amsterdam or Hamburg gained from
im -and export from <strong>the</strong> colonies. 25 years later due to <strong>the</strong> Vienna
<strong>Conference</strong> and <strong>the</strong> reconstruction <strong>of</strong> Europe <strong>the</strong>re were economic
problems and unemployment. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reactions was <strong>the</strong>
establishment <strong>of</strong> local workers/ trade-cooperatives in 1850 to fight <strong>the</strong>
hunger <strong>of</strong> industrial workers. 25 years later at about 1875 <strong>the</strong> positive
result (growth driven by <strong>the</strong> bigger units) created big department-stores
in Paris, London, Berlin. 25 years later in 1900 <strong>the</strong> small retailers
formed <strong>the</strong>ir cooperations (like EDEKA in Germany) to fight against <strong>the</strong>
big department-houses.
In 1925 in <strong>the</strong> turmoil after World War I mail-order-houses became <strong>the</strong>
innovation to decrease costs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> penetration <strong>of</strong> products. After World
War II in <strong>the</strong> 50ies self-service in Western Europe became <strong>the</strong> innovator
for supermarkets and hypermarkets. In 1975 Shopping Centers replaced
department stores with <strong>the</strong> same motto “all assortments under one ro<strong>of</strong>”
like in 1875 – and in <strong>the</strong> year 2000 <strong>the</strong> internet and B2C is replacing <strong>the</strong>
printed catalogues <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> traditional mail-order houses! Some authors
speak <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wheel <strong>of</strong> Retailing. In 2025 probably consumers will buy via
mobile phones being guided by Apps (advertising) on mobiles and GPSguiding
systems on mobiles. Business will be driven by an Evolution
Tornado <strong>of</strong> Retail – new social media including.
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Retailers take over in <strong>the</strong> last decades <strong>the</strong> innovative leadership instead
<strong>of</strong> governments! While in 1800 governments pushed globalization by
colonial occupation today globalization is pushed by big retail players
and world-wide standardization.
One example is GS1 (Global Standard 1). One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EHI-roots
discovered in <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 70ies <strong>the</strong> bar-coding for retail. Next
step was to form with o<strong>the</strong>r international partners <strong>the</strong> <strong>European</strong> Article
Number (EAN) as a standardized <strong>European</strong> bar-coding system. Since
2005 EAN and <strong>the</strong> American UPC (Universal Product Code) merged to
form <strong>the</strong> world-wide GS1-Group Ano<strong>the</strong>r example is Orgainvent. In
1994 <strong>the</strong> German consumers were frightened by <strong>the</strong> British Mad Cow
disease (BSE). Six German retail-chains under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> EHI
created a label for tracking and tracing <strong>of</strong> cows and beef – today <strong>the</strong>
EU-regulations (EU 178/2002)
Third example: <strong>European</strong> Retailers Produce Good Agricultural Practice
(EUREPAGAP) created in 1997 was penetrated to over 100 countries
worldwide and <strong>the</strong>refore relabelled to GlobalGAP in 2007
All three institutions show how retailers acted via EHI or connected Non
Government Organizations (NGOs)as pioneers and technical drivers for
world-trade. This might be an indicator that <strong>the</strong> balance <strong>of</strong> power is with
big retail experts and no longer fixed to <strong>of</strong>ficial representatives <strong>of</strong>
“country-borders” (WTO).To a certain extend national borders are no
longer in existence.
Keywords: Innovation cycles, change management, Total Supply
Chain, Power <strong>of</strong> Retail
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