Search results for "entrepreneurs"

Solving Strategic Paradoxes through Organizational Ambidexterity - A Foray into the Literature -

2016

Abstract In a world of unprecedented (diachronic and synchronic) complexities like ours, firms are forced to deal with an increasing number of organizational paradoxes that challenge their strategic choices. Under these circumstances, ambidexterity could become a (dynamic) core competence for firms, making the ambidextrous organization an imperative for businesses more than ever before. The paper aims to explore, based on an integrative approach, the most relevant literature on the interdependencies between the two topics (strategic paradoxes and organizational ambidexterity), in order to identify the most important thesis, arguments and solutions that support the ambidextrous organization,…

Beyond the “ivory tower”. Comparing academic and non-academic knowledge on social entrepreneurship

2021

The increasing relevance of societal challenges has recently brought social entrepreneurship to the fore due to its capacity to leverage entrepreneurial processes to achieve social value while ensuring profits. In this study, we apply an experimental research method to analyse the concept of social entrepreneurship comprehensively. More specifically, we develop bibliometric analysis and web crawling techniques to gather information related to social entrepreneurship from Scopus and Wikipedia. We conduct a comparative network analysis of social entrepreneurship’s conceptual structure at academic and non-academic levels. This analysis has been performed considering scientific articles’ keywor…

The Social Entrepreneur as a Promoter of Social Advancement

2015

Abstract The purpose of the study is to clarify the concepts of social entrepreneur and to identify Latvia's social entrepreneurs in the context of entrepreneurship based on a review of scientific literature, a survey of social entrepreneurs and expert interviews. On the basis of an analysis of the scientific literature, a theoretical framework of entrepreneurial competences is created which forms the basis for the practical solution of the research problem. The survey method and the interview method was used for learning about a social entrepreneur's personal qualities and skills, main motives and opportunities to create social enterprises and to develop entrepreneurship, as well as to lea…

Workbook for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2020

Challenges in measuring readiness for entrepreneurship

2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to establish a readiness for entrepreneurship theoretical framework. The paper marks the first of three stages to build a scale to measure readiness for entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approach– The current paper is conceptual. The research approach consists of formulating proposals and definitions based on an extensive literature review.Findings– The literature review reveals that no such readiness for entrepreneurship measurement tool exists. The literature review also yields definitions and components of key concepts for the theoretical framework.Research limitations/implications– The paper offers a new, holistic perspective of readiness for entr…

Entrepreneurship: Concepts, Theory and Perspective. Introduction

2007

The creation of a country’s wealth and dynamism depends upon the competitiveness of its firms and this, in turn, relies fundamentally on the capabilities of its entrepreneurs and managers.

Entrepreneurs’ interpersonal communication competence in networking

2020

Modern international business calls for competencies that enable entrepreneurs to be creative, innovative, effective and capable of networking. Competencies in forming and developing networks are particularly valuable for organizations and companies in countries with small economies, such as Finland, that are dependent on export and profitable international business. The aim of this research is to build understanding of what kind of interpersonal communication competence (ICC) entrepreneurs need in networking.
 Since the classic work of Granovetter (1982) and others (see e.g. Håkansson, 1982; Håkansson & Snehota, 2000), network theory and network analysis have become popular when t…

Entrepreneurs, the Self-employed and Employees amongst Young European Higher Education Graduates

2007

We shall analyse the different characteristics of entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and employees in public, private and non-profit organisations, based on a sample of young European higher education graduates. Using graduates’ self-assessment from a survey, several sets of characteristics such as social-demographic traits, educational and occupational experiences and levels of competences are considered. A descriptive analysis shows, first, that graduates who start their own business have different profiles in relation to elements leading to their occupational decision after graduation; and, second, that labour market status achieved by entrepreneur graduates implies relatively more demand…

The relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and growth in Italy

2019

This chapter considers innovation driven by academic entrepreneurship a strategic lever that can accelerate the development of weaker local economies especially in Southern Italy. The analysis of this form of entrepreneurship follows multidimensional approach of the “strategic entrepreneurship” to capture possible correlations between the single analysis approaches widespread in the literature (teleological, psychological, environmental and relational). The chapter intends to launch a reflection on the role of the University inside two particular innovation ecosystems, science and technology parks and research spin-offs. In this way the study of the entrepreneurial phenomenon will explore t…

Board of director attributes: effects on financial performance in SMEs

2021

This paper analyses the relationship between board of director (BoD) attributes and financial performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Although SMEs are the backbone of world economies, most studies on this relationship focused on large companies and did not consider many typical or recommended processes and activities carried out by SME BoDs. We monitored a set of variables related to BoD attributes such as composition, characteristics, structure and processes for 184 Italian SMEs along with their financials over a 4-year period (2014–2017). We controlled for enterprise-specific characteristics such as annual sales growth, assets value, sales turnover, leverage, com pany s…