Entrepreneurship. Context matters: Matters in context

Context has been recognized as shaping entrepreneurship. However, much less has been said about the interplay between entrepreneurship and social context and how entrepreneurship may actually shape context. Through looking at current and ongoing work, this presentation characterizes entrepreneurship as a contextual event. In doing so, it draws on the ideas of embeddedness, social capital, social bonds and social networks to show that relationships play meaningful roles in the entrepreneurial process. Insight is presented about the role of such relationships and how those that exist between entrepreneurs and the communities with whom they engage can influence practice and outcomes. The argument is also made that entrepreneurship is both shaped and influenced by context, and that it is therefore critical to look at entrepreneurial matters in their context.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Sensation seeking among high- and low-risk sports participants : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the sensation seeking tendencies of select New Zealand athletes. A "sensation seeker" is thought to be a person who needs varied, complex, novel, and intense forms of stimulation and experience and who is thought to be capable of taking physical and social risks for such experiences (Zuckerman, 1994). According to Marvin Zuckerman (1994), 'Sensation Seeking' is integrated within a broader trait called Impulsive-Sensation Seeking (ImpSS). That is, the personality dimensions of 'impulsiveness' and 'sensation seeking' are thought to be interconnected. The main aim of the present study was to assess empirical support for Zuckerman's (1994) ImpSS theory and associated hypotheses, and to replicate and extend previous research findings in this area using high- and low-risk sport participants. The Sensation Seeking Scale-V (Zuckerman, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1978), the Impulsiveness Scale of the Impulsiveness- Ventureous-Empathy Scale (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1978), and a life span questionnaire of sports participation were administered to both male (n = 119), and female (n = 47) athletes currently engaged in one of eight sport disciplines - Hanggliding; Mountaineering; Sky-diving; Automobile racing; Swimming; Marathon running; Aerobics; and Golf. Results provided support for the main hypothesis of Zuckerman's ImpSS theory -- (a) that sensation seeking is integrated within a broader trait called Impulsive-Sensation Seeking; and (b) that total sensation seeking can differentiate between high- and low-risk sport participants. Results provided a mixed level support for some more specific hypotheses derived from Zuckerman's ImpSS theory. Findings are discussed with respect to Zuckerman's (1994) Impulsive-Sensation Seeking model. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research are also discussed

Elastic limit: The role of university-focused venture capital firms in extending knowledge and technology transfer

This paper has two main objectives. Firstly, to identify the role of the university-focused intermediaries, specifically UVCs, in order to explain how they interact at the early stage of USO creation, particularly regarding knowledge sharing. Secondly, to analyse whether they change their position once the USO is developed. This gives rise to two Research Questions: How does knowledge sharing occur in the dynamics of a university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem? And Do particular participants, such as UTTOs or UVCs, always occupy the same role and position within the university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem?Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Venture Capital for University Spin-Outs Companies in the context of University-based Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: an International Comparison

The objectives are, firstly, to identify the role of the university-focused intermediaries, specifically University-focused Venture Capital Firms (UVCs), in order to explain how they interact at the early stage of University Spin-out Companies (USOs) creation, particularly regarding knowledge sharing. Secondly, to analyse whether they change their position once the USO is developed, in the context of the dynamics of a university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The mechanisms and process of entrepreneurial networks: continuity and change.

The relevance of networks for entrepreneurship is now well established. However, despite the extent of work carried out there are still clear gaps in our understanding about how networks change and adapt over time and how entrepreneurs actually go about using their networks for entrepreneurship. To deal with these issues we focus on specific network parameters - structure, content and process over time “ and present the findings from a three stage longitudinal research project which combined crosssectional qualitative and quantitative data collection. Our findings confirm, not only the relevance of networking for entrepreneurship, but also illustrate how network contacts and the actual structures of networks changed over time. Moreover, our study demonstrates that the network becomes the mechanism for coping and dealing with change. Indeed, the role of the networked entrepreneur within the wider business environment may be as the agent and catalyst of and for change

The Role of 401(k) Accumulations in Future Retirement Income

Defined contribution (DC) plans are increasingly being offered as the primary employer-sponsored pension, so it is of interest to ask whether DC accumulations are likely to yield sufficient income in retirement. This chapter uses the EBRI/ICI 401(k) Accumulation Projection Model to explore alternative future scenarios for retirees having had 401(k) plans available over a full working career. We assess the impact of catch-up contributions recently permitted by legislation; saving through individual retirement accounts if the employer does not offer a 401(k) plan; and changing the retirement age