Research based yet action oriented: Developing individual level enterprising competencies

This paper outlines an approach to teaching enterprising competencies in the university setting of Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. It is characterised by two features. First, it has an experiential component in the form of developmental exercises; forms of practice which are devised by the students themselves. Second, the exercises are research-based: students study academic articles and book chapters that give clues about how to practice the various competencies. The method is inspired by Gibb’s (1993, 1998, 2002a, 2002b) ideas about simulating the essences of enterprise in the learning environment. The approach used at Massey is outlined at the end of the paper. The paper begins with offering the rationales for the course. First, it provides arguments as to why enterprising competencies are becoming increasingly important for our students. Second, it is argued why, out of three approaches to competency, the behavioural approach is deemed to be the most suitable for the approach employed at Massey. Third, in the debate about generic versus situation specific competencies, it argues for the relevance of generic competencies. The paper then describes entrepreneurship / small business (E/SB) research on competencies, and discusses why entrepreneurship research is often of little help for ‘how to’ approaches. Finally, the Massey approach is described in detail

Perseverance Strategies for Enterprising Individuals

Published version available here: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=1355-2554&volume=18&issue=6&articleid=17054913Purpose: To arrive at a conceptual understanding of perseverance processes in the context of enterprising behavior. To outline readily employable perseverance strategies for situations characterized by obstacles, challenges and setbacks. Approach: This paper presents a process model of perseverance, drawing on elements of control theory (Carver and Scheier 1981, 1998) and appraisal theory (Lazarus, 1966, 1999; Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Findings: From this model, it derives a variety of perseverance strategies within four broad categories: strategies that affect adversity itself; strategies that change the way adversity is perceived; strategies that reframe the aim that adversity has made difficult to attain; and strategies that help to increase self-regulatory strength. James Dyson‟s biography provides examples for the strategies. Research implications: A research agenda is provided. Practical implications: A broad variety of strategies are discussed help individuals to persevere in reaching their enterprising goals. Social implications: This paper aims to contribute to the persevering abilities of enterprising individuals. Originality/Value: Although it is a widely held perception that perseverance is needed to successfully start and run a venture, the perseverance process and perseverance strategies have received little research attention. Classification of Paper type: Post-prin

Rashba and intrinsic spin-orbit interactions in biased bilayer graphene

We investigate the effect that the intrinsic spin-orbit and the inter- and intra-layer Rashba interactions have on the energy spectrum of either an unbiased or a biased graphene bilayer. We find that under certain conditions, a Dirac cone is formed out of a parabolic band and that it is possible to create a "Mexican hat"-like energy dispersion in an unbiased bilayer. In addition, in the presence of only an intralayer Rashba interaction, the K (K') point splits into four distinct ones, contrarily to the case in single-layer graphene, where the splitting also takes place, but the low-energy dispersion at these points remains identical.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure

Setting up a business in the Netherlands

Onderzoekt de kenmerken van mensen die de plannen voor het starten van een onderneming realiseren, vergeleken met de mensen die opgeven of bezig blijven met het opzetten van de onderneming.

Home-based internet businesses as drivers of variety

The paper shows how and why Home-Based Internet Businesses are drivers of variety. This paper argues, by means of five theoretical perspectives, that because of the variety HBIBs generate, they contribute to the economy over and above their direct and indirect contributions in terms of revenue and employment. A multiple case study approach is employed studying the best practices of eight HBIBs. It is found that HBIBs generate variety because of the unique way in which they operate, and because of the reasons why they are started. How HBIBs operate can be captured in the acronym SMILES: Speed, Multiple income, Inexpensive, LEan, and Smart. They are founded (amongst other motives) for reasons of autonomy, freedom and independence. Both aspects – the how and why – of HBIBs are conducive to the creation of variety as they facilitate trial-and-error commercialization of authentic ideas. Five theoretical perspectives posit that variety is important for the industry and the economy: evolutionary theory, strategic management, organic urban planning, opportunity recognition, and the knowledge economy. The findings are discussed in the context of each perspective

Encountered Problems and Outcome Status in Nascent Entrepreneurship

Post-printThe relationship between outcome status and encountered problems in the business start-up process is investigated. Contrary to expectations, we find that starters do not substantially differ from quitters in number and type of problems encountered, and that problems encountered generally do not affect outcome status. This research is based on a sample of 414 Dutch nascent entrepreneurs followed over a three year period. Its design is comparable to the U.S. PSED (Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics)

Het principium theologiae in zijne beteekenis voor de archaeologia sacra

Openbare les Vrije Universiteit Amsterda

The multiple sources of autonomy as a start-up motive

Autonomy is a primary motive for a large majority of small business starters. However, as an explanation of why people want their own (autonomous) business it is largely circular. In this paper, we focus on an explanation of the autonomy motive itself. We provide a theoretical and empirical exposition of autonomy as a startup motive. Specifically, it is questioned why small business starters want autonomy. A distinction is made between proximal and distal reasons for wanting autonomy. Our framework is confirmed studying a sample of 167 nascent entrepreneurs motivated by autonomy. The findings suggest that beneath the surface of small business starters striving for autonomy, they differ in their relative emphasis on the underlying sources of the autonomy motive.