Search

In recent years Entrepreneurship Education (EE) has become prevalent throughout Higher Education (HE), with a proliferation of programming for learners from Undergraduate to Post-experience studies. Despite the rapid scaling of provision, the majority of extant EE offerings demonstrate little conceptual evolution and development from early programs, with many approaches falling short of enabling the cognitive and behavioral change so critical to supporting entrepreneurial action. In this article we consider the concept of entrepreneurial mindset as a framing for EE programming, conceptualizing it as an approach to support the development of multidimensional cognitive and emotional competences and behavioral outcomes to enable entrepreneurial value creating activity across a range of contexts. We focus specifically on how educators can actively support the development of an entrepreneurial mindset through EE programming and start a conversation on the practicalities of operationalizing the entrepreneurial mindset concept within HE teaching and learning activity.

A detailed and critical analysis of the multiple types of entrepreneurship, helping students to understand the practical skills and theoretical concepts needed to create their very own entrepreneurial venture.\ud \ud Split into two parts, the book provides an even balance between theory and practice. Part 1 covers the practical activities involved in new entrepreneurial ventures, and Part 2 uses the latest research to explore entrepreneurship from different perspectives.\ud \ud The expanded third edition of Exploring Entrepreneurship includes:\ud \ud • Additional coverage of entrepreneurship and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), corporate entrepreneurship, variety and diversity in entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial approaches to the delivery of public services\ud • New and updated Case Studies that tackle cutting-edge practical issues\ud • New and updated Researcher Profiles from leading international scholars\ud • Enhanced Recommended Reading sections in each chapter with concise introductions to the latest research findings\ud \ud Essential online resources for students, including selected SAGE journal articles, pre-reading suggestions, self-assessment questions and revision tips, plus a range of lecturer resources, are available.\ud \ud Suitable reading for students taking modules in Entrepreneurship or Small Business Management at upper undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Scholars have asserted that a key factor that differentiates high growth firms (HGFs) from other firms is their ability to create value for their customers. This paper contributes to the literature by empirically exploring this relationship. Drawing on comparative cohorts of eleven HGFs and ten non-HGFs in Scotland, this paper finds that the HGFs were much more likely than their non-HGF counterparts to be positively influencing customer perceived value, which is considered as an important enabler of firm performance and growth. In addition to its empirical contribution to the high growth entrepreneurship literature, this paper raises issues for future research. JEL: L25; L26; M13; M31. Resumen La comunidad académica ha afirmado que un diferenciador clave de las empresas de alto crecimiento (EAC) es su capacidad para crear valor para sus clientes. Este artículo contribuye a la literatura al explorar de manera empírica esta relación. Basándose en cohortes comparativos de 11 ECA y 10 no-EAC en Escocia, este artículo concluye que las EAC eran mucho más propensas que las no-EAC a la hora de influir positivamente en el valor percibido por el cliente, cuya creación se considera un activador importante de rendimiento y crecimiento de empresas. Además de su contribución empírica a la literatura de emprendimiento de alto crecimiento, este artículo plantea futuras líneas de investigación. JEL: L25; L26; M13; M31. Résumé La communauté académique a déclaré qu’un facteur distinctif essentiel des entreprises à forte croissance (EAC) est leur capacité à créer de la valeur pour leurs clients. Cet article contribue aux publications sur le sujet par une exploration empirique de cette relation. Se basant sur des ensembles comparatifs de 11 EAC et 10 non-EAC en Ecosse, il conclut que les EAC ont bien davantage tendance que les non-EAC à influer positivement sur la valeur perçue par le client, dont la création est considérée comme un activateur important de rendement et de croissance d’entreprises. Outre sa contribution empirique aux publications sur l’entrepreunariat à forte croissance, cet article propose de futures directions de recherche. JEL: L25; L26; M13; M31. Resumo A comunidade acadêmica afirmou que o principal diferencial das empresas de alto crescimento (EAC) é sua capacidade de criar valor para seus clientes. Este artigo contribui para a literatura explorando empiricamente essa relação. Baseado em coortes comparativas de 11 EAC e 10 não-EAC na Escócia, este artigo conclui que as EAC eram muito mais propensas do que as não-EAC a influenciar positivamente o valor percebido pelo cliente, cuja criação é considerada um importante fator de desempenho e crescimento das empresas. Além de sua contribuição empírica para a literatura de empreendedorismo de alto crescimento, este artigo propõe futuras linhas de pesquisa. JEL: L25; L26; M13; M31.

This paper examines the dynamics of entrepreneurial acquisitions undertaken by UK high growth small and medium enterprises (S M E s). While entrepreneurial acquisitions are increasingly deployed by S M E s, little is known about their antecedents, motivational drivers and organisational outcomes. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from Scotland, the key factor found to be driving these acquisitions was the desire to augment and exploit technological complementarities between the acquiring an d acquired firms. Acquisition can therefore be conceptualised as an advanced stage of the outside-in ‘open innovation’ strategies proactively used within these innovative S M E s. Firms executing this strategy typically have an acute propensity for risk , a desire for close customer engagement, effective business models and strong external orientation . The work suggests that greater attention should be paid within M & A theory to the dynamics of these types of smaller scale entrepreneurial acquisitions.

High growth firms are now a major focus within enterprise policy. This paper provides a theoretically informed analysis of the rationale and effectiveness of targeted public sector support designed to develop these firms. Drawing on empirical research undertaken in the UK, this paper challenges the appropriateness of the theoretical assumptions embodied in these state-backed support instruments. It outlines the nature of these programmes and provides a critique of some of their inherent weaknesses, revealing that the assumptions underpinning these programmes are often flawed. The paper examines the limitations of their selection procedures, the thematic nature of support and exit dynamics. It found that offering early stage firms intensive levels of resources may have important (and detrimental) unintended consequences previously overlooked by policy makers. The paper offers some suggestions for how policy instruments could be better attuned to the needs of these growth-oriented firms.

Equity crowdfunding is an increasingly important source of entrepreneurial finance for new ventures. However, empirical research and theoretical development have struggled to keep pace with its growth. This paper outlines findings from a large-scale interview study of start-ups who obtained equity crowdfunding in the UK. It explores the personal and business networks involved in the equity crowdfunding process, taking a processual perspective. The empirical findings show that networks and social capital play a critical role in the crowdfunding process. Start-ups leverage, build and drawn upon a complex array of network actors and “ties” as they move through the different stages of their crowdfunding journey. The paper concludes that equity crowdfunding is a highly “relational” form of entrepreneurial finance requiring holistic forms of investigation. The implications for further research are outlined.

This report presents findings from a research project concerning access to funding for employee-owned businesses (EOBs) in Scotland. The two main objectives were: first, to examine the role of funding for firms moving into employee ownership - especially to ascertain if this constrains or curtails firms becoming employee-owned. Second, to examine the issue of funding as a constraint on growth for existing employee-owned businesses and to judge whether lending institutions view these firms as ‘atypical’ in terms of their perceived credit risk.

This report presents findings from a research project concerning access to funding for employee-owned businesses (EOBs) in Scotland. The two main objectives were: first, to examine the role of funding for firms moving into employee ownership - especially to ascertain if this constrains or curtails firms becoming employee-owned. Second, to examine the issue of funding as a constraint on growth for existing employee-owned businesses and to judge whether lending institutions view these firms as ‘atypical’ in terms of their perceived credit risk. Publisher PDF

This paper examines the nature of high growth firms (HGFs) and how they are supported by public policy. HGFs have become a key focus for public policy within the UK and across many OECD economies in recent years. In parallel with this, there has been a growing body of research and evidence which has accumulated on the nature of these firms. However, sizeable gaps in our knowledge remain on how these firms operate and grow. To date, very few researchers have attempted to examine the specific nature of the growth processes and their associated growth constraints. As a consequence, a degree of ambiguity and ‘mythology' is attached to HGFs. This paper seeks to ‘debunk' some of the myths associated with these rapidly growing ventures by taking stock of some of the recent research findings. Arguably, a weak understanding of HGFs has manifested itself in the poor policy frameworks which have been devised to support these firms. This paper offers some suggestions for how entrepreneurship and small business policy could be better formulated to help improve the effectiveness of public policy. The paper concludes with some suggestions for future research on high growth entrepreneurship which would further aid policy development in this area.

Purpose - As a means of contributing to the literature surrounding the evolution and growth of firms, this paper seeks to outline the explanatory concept of growth trigger points. It aims to examine the forces that propel firms towards different stages of growth and argues that high-growth firms (HGFs) often encounter important "trigger points" that can affect their growth capabilities. The paper's main aim is to define, conceptualise and illustrate the role of trigger points in promoting rapid growth within businesses. Design/methodology/approach - The primary methodological approach used was intensive case study research of HGFs in Scotland. The case studies, 40 firms in total, were compiled using a mixed method research approach that included, inter alia, background desk research, firm interviews and interviews with business advisers. Findings - The research discovered that growth trigger points are extremely diverse and play a major role in shaping the growth trajectory of firms, and highlights three main types of trigger points. While trigger points can fundamentally reconfigure organisations, providing a catalyst for a business to undertake a period of rapid, transformative growth, these events can conversely cause severe organisational turbulence or even decline. Often the critical period determining the ultimate success of the growth opportunity presented is the post-trigger transition period identified by the authors. Practical implications - The paper aims to inform public policy on how to support high-growth entrepreneurship. From a policy perspective, understanding these trigger points is essential for helping policymakers to prioritise and optimise their interventions to help promote rapid firm growth. Originality/value - The paper's unique contribution to the literature is to help conceptualise how firms move along a growth trajectory, by introducing the novel concept of growth "trigger points". The paper also seeks to inform public policy, so that interventions can be better attuned to the requirements of dynamic growth businesses.