Alex Maritz

New Zealand necessity entrepreneurs

The necessity entrepreneur (NE) is someone who never considered starting or owning a business until there was no other option. Using the methodology of the global entrepreneurship monitor, this paper examines New Zealand necessity entrepreneurs in the light of propositions cited in the literature that NE is associated with three factors: positively with economic growth (real GDP growth rate); positively with unemployment (unemployment rate); negatively with a generous welfare system (expenditures on social security). Factor 1 is confirmed through the GEM data; Factors 2 and 3 are not supported by the data. Immigration is seen as a possible contributory factor to the moderately high NE rates in New Zealand. In addition, unique characteristics of migrant necessity entrepreneurs pave ways for initiatives and intervention by local governments.

Illuminating the black box of entrepreneurship education programs

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore the components of entrepreneurship education programs (EEPs) and their interrelationships to develop a conceptual framework through which entrepreneurship education may be contextually evaluated and developed.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents an extensive literature review of the entrepreneurship education literature which is used to inform a comprehensive framework for entrepreneurial education; based upon contextualisation, outcomes, objectives, audience, assessment, content and pedagogy.Findings – The paper develops a comprehensive and parsimonious framework for understanding and evaluating entrepreneurship education programs based on and adapted from the extended conceptualisations and contextualisation of previous research on entrepreneurship education programs.Research limitations/implications – This paper presents preliminary conceptualisation and as such requires subsequent testing in various entrepreneurship contexts.Practical implicati...

Enterprise education: for all, or just some?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provocatively enter four imagined worlds of enterprise education with the express aim of contemplating an emerging future. The authors do so not to expressly determine what positioning is most appropriate for enterprise/entrepreneurship education, but rather to consider the issues associated with each of the four imagined worlds. Design/methodology/approach The authors’ approach is built around a combination of cycles of reflective practice and the use of scenario development processes. The authors seek to suspend their collective judgement whilst entering the four imagined worlds, but ultimately do not claim to have hidden their personal biases. Findings It is concluded that enterprise/entrepreneurship education should be shared across the university and not owned by any school or faculty. While the authors find it difficult to dismiss the underlying purpose of each scenario, they sense an opportunity to unite their common focus on the development of a transformative student experience. Practical implications This process has provided unexpected insights into the potential of scenario planning as a tool that could conceivably be employed more often to tackle complex issues, such as the positioning of enterprise/entrepreneurship education in Higher Education. Originality/value This paper, despite its inherent biases, offers the reader an opportunity to gain a sense of the various roles forced upon enterprise/entrepreneurship education by its various key stakeholders. In doing so, the shortcomings of the current situation are highlighted.

Evaluating entrepreneurs' perception of success: Development of a measurement scale

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the insights of founding entrepreneurs to understand what they consider as indicators for achieving entrepreneurial success. Using this information, the construct entrepreneurial success was conceptualized and a scale developed for use in subsequent testable models. Design/methodology/approach – Through qualitative research, the concept of entrepreneurial success was explored with ten founding entrepreneurs. Themes emerged from this enquiry process which informed the development of nine indicators. The indicators were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a subsequent study, comprising 213 founding entrepreneurs. The result is an early attempt to produce a measurement scale for entrepreneurial success, as perceived by the entrepreneur. Findings – Entrepreneurs perceive entrepreneurial success as the presence of both personal and macro level variables. This research supports theorizing that suggests entrepreneurial success is a multi...

Implementation of service profit chain initiatives in a franchise system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of the service profit chain as an entrepreneurial marketing initiative within a defined franchise system. An objective is also to evaluate these initiatives against service quality dimensions. Despite recognition of the merits and advantages of service profit chain initiatives of retention, related sales and referrals, little research has empirically addressed the perceptions of franchisees regarding these initiatives.Design/methodology/approach – Methodology includes the empirical analysis of evaluating the effectiveness of service profit chain implementation, primarily based on initiatives of retention, related sales and referrals. Research methodology comprises the survey approach, using electronic media and Surveypro analysis. This is facilitated by descriptive and inferential statistical techniques using SPSS version 11.0 data analysis. Inferential significance tests include the ANOVA Kruskal‐Wallis hypothesis test; and the Cronbac...

Enhancing entrepreneurial self-efficacy through vocational entrepreneurship education programmes

The purpose of this study is to report the results of a longitudinal evaluation of a vocational entrepreneurship education programme (EEP) using entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) measures. An empirical, mixed methods longitudinal and effectuation scale was used to measure ESE scores. Results indicate that participation in the programme had a positive significant effect on the ESE scores of all participants. In particular, the increase in scores for women, participants aged more than 40, and participants who did not have business-owning relatives was greater. We contribute evidence of the value of vocational EEPs and entrepreneurial learning in increasing the ESE of participants, a finding of practical use to vocational entrepreneurship education institutions and programmes, economic policy makers and nascent entrepreneurs. The value of this work lies in its responsiveness to calls in the academic literature for longitudinal evaluation measures of entrepreneurial learning and vocational EEPs and demonstrates to funding bodies the value inherent in such education.

Networking, entrepreneurship and productivity in universities

Abstract The importance of networking in fostering entrepreneurial activities has been widely researched over the last decade. There is however limited evidence of the association between these two constructs in a knowledge-based environment. As universities are under constant pressure to improve the productivity of academic staff we examine the role of social interaction in fostering entrepreneurial activities. A web-based survey is implementee4 facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and multiple regression to probe the relationship between these constructs. Whilst it can be concluded that the constructs are all multidimensional, varying relationships were identified when statistically examining the interrelations. Overall, there is a significant relationship between networking and productivity. Entrepreneurship also portrays such significance, albeit varying between dimensions of autonomy, innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness.

Entrepreneurship and innovation: Setting an agenda for greater discipline contextualisation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the synergies, similarities and differences between entrepreneurship and innovation education and training programs, with the aim of challenging the context of such programs. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilises an extensive review of extant literature in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship and education. The literature, propositions and discussion are intended to provide a bridge between entrepreneurship and innovation education and training programs and seek to address the scientific legitimacy of these education and training disciplines as separate, yet integrated disciplines. Findings – Identifies a need to reconsider the diversity and relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship education and training, primarily from contextual, theoretical, measurement, distinctiveness, content, pedagogical and typology points of view. The range of multiple teaching models and learning processes to embrace in various contexts. Research limitations/implications – The propositions allow for the combination of teaching initiatives in a theory-driven framework and their applicability to specific entrepreneurship and innovation education and training situations. Practical implications – The authors’ contribution identifies the synergies and differences between entrepreneurship education and training programs. The propositions highlight areas of contextualisation and practice-based view application, to adopt specific learning initiatives between constructs. Originality/value – The authors address a gap in the literature regarding the delineation of entrepreneurship and innovation education and training, which has thus far remained sparsely addressed in the education and training literature. The authors provide a practice-based view of propositions, developed for future testing.

Innovation education programs : toward a conceptual framework

Purpose: Innovation education has been identified as a key contributor to enhancing the innovative behavior of individuals, organizations and economies; yet very little literature exists on the development and assessment of innovation education programs (IEPs). This is particularly so in the higher education and vocational education domains. The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap in the literature, by proposing a conceptual framework of a multi-dimensional IEP. Design/methodology/approach: The paper employs a transparent and reproducible procedure and critical appraisal of the literature; coupled with emergent inquiry and case study implementation of a leading international IEP. Findings: The study provides a framework by which innovation education facilitators may develop and evaluate their IEPs. The proposed framework provides a thematic appreciation of the multi-dimensional relationships between components. Research limitations/implications: Limited within the context of this case study, geographical context and scant literature on IEPs and reproducible procedure. Originality/value: The study provides a conceptual innovation education framework, based upon a successful international innovation management program.

Entrepreneurial Services Marketing Initiatives Facilitating Small Business Growth

Abstract Managing the growing small business identifies many opportunities and difficulties for the entrepreneur. Whilst entrepreneurs are prone to managing opportunities, they most often struggle to manage resources and initiatives toward growing their businesses. We introduce an entrepreneurial perspective toward enhancing growth opportunities within the small business sector. Services marketing initiatives introduced are a result of empirical evidence from a large number of high-growth entrepreneurial small businesses in Victoria, Australia. A conceptual model is proposed, consisting of service initiatives of the service profit chain, industry best practice, relationship marketing and service quality. Our overall aim is to introduce such initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, thereby enhancing growth of these small businesses.