The role of social ties in fostering innovation

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of social ties in encouraging innovative behaviour. There is limited empirical evidence of the interrelation between these two constructs in current academic literature. This research hypothesizes such relationship in higher academic institutions. To enhance innovativeness of academic staff within universities or R & D institutions, we examined the role of social ties in fostering innovativeness as a main factor in entrepreneurial activities. A survey was sent via a hyperlink to the target sample, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and regression analysis. It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between spending time with social contacts and innovativeness. Limitations and further research are cited to enhance the understanding of the interrelation of the constructs

The role of social capital in fostering entrepreneurship in established organizations

This study investigates social behavior of employees and its effect on entrepreneurial activities. Social capital is a strategic resource available through the network of relationships may be exploited in the direction of organizational and individual objectives. The study posited that this powerful asset may be leveraged in fostering entrepreneurial orientation of employees, which is an antecedent for improving the performance. A developed survey was sent to a selected sample of academic staff in five public universities in Victoria. The collected data were subject to statistical analysis and the result was derived. The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between social behavior and entrepreneurial orientation of academics. The predictability of entrepreneurial activities by social relationships was tested

Social capital, intrapreneurship and productivity in academic institutions

The importance of social interaction and 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 within universities, we examine the role of social interaction in fostering entrepreneurial activities. A web-based survey is implemented, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and multiple regression to probe the relationship between these constructs. Whilst in 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 social interaction and productivity. lntrapreneurship also portrays such significance, albeit varying between dimensions of autonomy, innovativeness, risk taking, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness

Networking, entrepreneurship and productivity in universities

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 implemented, facilitated by empirical analysis using correlation and multiple regression to probe the relationship between these constructs. Whilst in 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

Conceptualising teacher Professionalism

Recently, Sachs (Teacher professionalism: why are we still talking about it? 22(4):413–425, 2016) posed the question, “why are we still talking about teacher professionalism?” Despite a long history of political and educational discourses about the professionalising of teaching, there remains little clarity about the meaning and intent of terms such as profession, professionalism and professionalisation in the context of teaching. Debates abound in relation to the influence of these discourses on the professionalising, deprofessionalising and reprofessionalising of teachers. Significant to the issues raised is the role and function of teacher education in the professional learning and development of teachers and the promotion of the teaching profession. This chapter explores core issues surrounding professionalism and teacher education with an emphasis on the Australian context. It will: (i) analyse definitions of the concepts of profession and professionalism and their application to teachers and teaching; (ii) outline core contestations in the spaces between political and educational discourses in contemporary contexts; and (iii) discuss emerging perspectives in teacher education for innovating policy and practice in support of the ongoing maturation of the teaching profession

Entrepreneurial environment and research performance in knowledge-based institutions

Social capital, Entrepreneurial orientation, Structural dimension, Research activity, Research performance,