Contextual influences on entrepreneurial actions

Research on entrepreneurial actions has thus far been dominated by individual-level and dispositional approaches. These approaches assume that individuals’ entrepreneurial actions are regulated by individuals’ enduring characteristics that operate in a similar way in all contexts and in total isolation with their surroundings. This assumption has continued to dominate research on entrepreneurial actions in spite of the widespread recognition of the fact that entrepreneurial actions are also influenced by contextual factors. The dispositional approach thus presents an under-socialized view of entrepreneurial opportunity creation and ignores that entrepreneurial process of opportunity discovery are strongly influenced by contextual factors, such as organisational environments, institutions, social reference groups, cultural orientations, environmental munificence. This thesis addresses this gap and contributes towards answering “How do individuals’ context influence entrepreneurial actions?” We provide answer by extending McMullen and Shepherd’s proposed theoretical model and argue that entrepreneurial actions depend upon not only an individual’s personal feasibility and desirability considerations (McMullen and Shepherd 2006), but also upon the context within which the individual evaluates the consequences of those actions. In order to test and provide evidence in favour of this argument, an empirical design is proposed that comprises of three separate empirical studies, each of which considers the cross-level effects on entrepreneurial actions by combining the influences of individual-level as well contextuallevel factors on those actions and offers explanations on the pertinent mechanisms through which an individual’s context exercises a regulatory influence on entrepreneurial actions by individuals. The thesis acknowledges and further consolidates the multi-level nature of entrepreneurial actions and considers cross-level effects by combining the influence of individual-level and contextual-level factors on entrepreneurial actions. A multi-level methodology has been developed and tested to bring forth the cross-level moderation effects of contextual factors that operate at a higher level on individual-level entrepreneurial actions. Three multi-level empirical studies feature in this thesis that elucidates the mechanisms through which an individual’s context constitutes a regulatory influence on the feasibility and desirability to undertake entrepreneurial actions. The first study examines the influence of prevailing norms in an individual’s social reference group on individual-level entrepreneurial actions. The second empirical study examines the influence of national-level cultural orientations on individual-level entrepreneurial actions and the third study investigates the influence of national-level cultural orientations on persistence in the entrepreneurial process. The third empirical study examines the influence of national-level cultural orientations on an individual’s persistence into entrepreneurship

Cultural Diversity, International Entrepreneurship and Global Leadership Effectiveness

The proposed research links cultural diversity, international entrepreneurship and global leadership effectiveness. Understanding cultural differences may contribute to the success of international entrepreneurs or exporting cultures. Also, a knowledge of culturally-endorsed leadership styles is imperative for global business leaders who either lead culturally diverse groups in domestic firms or multi-national companies (MNCs) abroad

Immigration and High-Growth Entrepreneurship In Developing Countries

Immigration is emerging as a potent and visible policy tool at the disposal of policymakers seeking to increase economic development through entrepreneurship. However, it is less clear if immigration has the same role in developing countries. This paper presents a narration on whether the independent effects and interaction between rates of immigration and the social desirability of entrepreneurship in developing countries exercise any influence on the likelihood of individuals entering into high-growth entrepreneurship. The propositions reported would argue that each has an independent positive influence, but that social desirability would be instrumental in moderating the positive effect of immigration, such that as social desirability increases, the influence of immigration on high-growth entrepreneurship decreases

An Emotional Intelligence Model of Entrepreneurial Coping Strategies

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to recognize emotional intelligence (EI) as a specific emotional competency possessed by entrepreneurs that facilitates their coping with stressors that arise in their day-to-day work. Highlighting the problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies employed by entrepreneurs, the paper establishes that EI in entrepreneurs enables the onset of acceptance of the stressful situation and optimism that a stressful situation can be solved. Design: The paper reviews literature on the topics related to links between EI, entrepreneurial behaviors and entrepreneurial coping. Subsequently, acceptance-avoidance motivation theory is used to posit that entrepreneurs\u27 EI serves as an antecedent that (1) guides the selection of their coping strategies through the onset of optimism and acceptance of the stressful situation, (2) assists in perceiving those situations as either controllable or uncontrollable, and (3) shapes the actual process through which entrepreneurs cope. Findings: The proposed conceptual model asserts that entrepreneurs’ EI as reflected in their abilities to perceive, use, understand and regulate emotions, is key to their coping. EI in entrepreneurs assists them in being optimistic about solving a stressful situation and accepting of such situations as well. Thereafter, selection of a problem-focused or emotion-focused coping strategy or both ensues. Originality: The current work offers a conceptual model that highlights the role of entrepreneurs\u27 EI in coping, integrates both the cognitive and affective components of coping, and suggests a variety of avenues for future research. This model extends models of coping that categorize coping types to specify the process thought to be involved. Understanding the role of emotional intelligence in coping with stress by entrepreneurs has theoretical and practical implications which are discussed as well

Beyond cultural values? Cultural leadership ideals and entrepreneurship

This paper offers a fresh perspective on national culture and entrepreneurship research. It explores the role of Culturally-endorsed implicit Leadership Theories (CLTs) – i.e., the cultural expectations about outstanding, ideal leadership – on individual entrepreneurship. Developing arguments based on culture-entrepreneurship fit, we predict that charismatic and self-protective CLTs positively affect entrepreneurship. They provide a context that enables entrepreneurs to be co-operative in order to initiate change but also to be self-protective and competitive so as to safeguard their venture and avoid being exploited. We further theorize that CLTs are more proximal drivers of cross-country differences in entrepreneurship as compared with distal cultural values. We find support for our propositions in a multi-level study of 42 countries. Cultural values (of uncertainty avoidance and collectivism) influence entrepreneurship mainly indirectly, via charismatic and self-protective CLTs. We do not find a similar indirect effect for cultural practices

引进外商直接投资（IFDI）: 促进还是抑制科技创业？

FDI是否能促进国内技术和经济发展，仍然是一个备受争议的问题。这 一争论可以通过比较1995-2000年凯尔特和亚洲四小龙的经验加以阐释。根据IMF和世界银行以不变价格计算的统计数据，爱尔兰和中国的人均GDP年增长率平均为8%。但是，爱尔兰人均FDI平均每年以98%的速度增长，绝对价值平均为3397美元，而在中国却下降了1%，绝对价值平均为144美元。这表明，按具体情况制定的政策比“一刀切”政策更加准确，应该根据一个国家所处的经济发展阶段进行归纳总结

Inward foreign direct investment: Does it enable or constrain domestic technology entrepreneurship?

Whether or not foreign direct investment (FDI) is essential for domestic technological and economic development remains a contentious question. The controversy is illustrated by comparing the Celtic and Asian Tigers experiences from 1995 to 2000. Based on IMF and World Bank data in constant prices, Ireland and China averaged an annual growth rate of 8% in GDP per capita. However, FDI per capita grew at an average pace of 98% per year in Ireland, while in China it decreased by 1% -- absolute values averaged US$3,397 versus US$ 144, respectively. This suggests that, rather than a one-policy-fits-all approach, customized policies are more appropriate; and, if any generalization can be made, it should be based on a country’s stage of economic development

Inward foreign direct investment: Does it enable or constrain domestic technology entrepreneurship?

Whether or not foreign direct investment (FDI) is essential for domestic technological and economic development remains a contentious question. The controversy is illustrated by comparing the Celtic and Asian Tigers experiences from 1995 to 2000. Based on IMF and World Bank data in constant prices, Ireland and China averaged an annual growth rate of 8% in GDP per capita. However, FDI per capita grew at an average pace of 98% per year in Ireland, while in China it decreased by 1% -- absolute values averaged US$3,397 versus US$ 144, respectively. This suggests that, rather than a one-policy-fits-all approach, customized policies are more appropriate; and, if any generalization can be made, it should be based on a country’s stage of economic development

#VocalWomen: How Does Threatened Masculinity Influence Perceptions of Women Who Confront Online Misogyny?

Honors (Bachelor's)PsychologyUniversity of Michiganhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139653/1/rcultice.pd

mTOR signaling in VIP neurons regulates circadian clock synchrony and olfaction

Mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling controls cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism in dividing cells. Less is known regarding its function in postmitotic neurons in the adult brain. Here we created a conditional mTOR knockout mouse model to address this question. Using the Cre-LoxP system, the mTOR gene was specifically knocked out in cells expressing Vip (vasoactive intestinal peptide), which represent a major population of interneurons widely distributed in the neocortex, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), olfactory bulb (OB), and other brain regions. Using a combination of biochemical, behavioral, and imaging approaches, we found that mice lacking mTOR in VIP neurons displayed erratic circadian behavior and weakened synchronization among cells in the SCN, the master circadian pacemaker in mammals. Furthermore, we have discovered a critical role for mTOR signaling in mediating olfaction. Odor stimulated mTOR activation in the OB, anterior olfactory nucleus, as well as piriform cortex. Odor-evoked c-Fos responses along the olfactory pathway were abolished in mice lacking mTOR in VIP neurons, which is consistent with reduced olfactory sensitivity in these animals. Together, these results demonstrate that mTOR is a key regulator of SCN circadian clock synchrony and olfaction