Eric Liguori

Understanding how national policy can spur entrepreneurial activity is central to entrepreneurship research. Over the past decade, there has been a limited set of research findings to suggest that social spending may increase entrepreneurship in addition to serving more direct social purposes. We examine the topic through the lens of market failure theory and Austrian economics. In accordance with the Austrian perspective, we theorize that social spending increases the opportunity cost of… Show more

Understanding how national policy can spur entrepreneurial activity is central to entrepreneurship research. Over the past decade, there has been a limited set of research findings to suggest that social spending may increase entrepreneurship in addition to serving more direct social purposes. We examine the topic through the lens of market failure theory and Austrian economics. In accordance with the Austrian perspective, we theorize that social spending increases the opportunity cost of entrepreneurship, thereby decreasing the attractiveness of entrepreneurship in comparison to salaried employment. Drawing from a sample of 31 developed countries spanning 2004–2011, we investigate the effects of social spending on entrepreneurial attitudes and activity. Our results indicate that country level social spending negatively affects entrepreneurial activity, business ownership, and the public’s view of entrepreneurship as a career choice. The findings suggest that social spending may be better suited for addressing social issues compared to spurring entrepreneurial attitudes or activity. Our findings have implications for both the entrepreneurship and national policy literature. Show less

This editorial provides an overview of the inner workings of the Journal of Small Business Management and its editorial and peer review processes. In doing so it offers practical insights relevant to authors looking to publish scholarly work in the fields of entrepreneurship and small business scholarship. Specifically, this article discusses the process JSBM uses to review all submissions, the most common causes for a desk reject decision, guidance on best practices for manuscript submission… Show more

This editorial provides an overview of the inner workings of the Journal of Small Business Management and its editorial and peer review processes. In doing so it offers practical insights relevant to authors looking to publish scholarly work in the fields of entrepreneurship and small business scholarship. Specifically, this article discusses the process JSBM uses to review all submissions, the most common causes for a desk reject decision, guidance on best practices for manuscript submission and publication success, and the importance of engagement with the scholarly community. Show less

Researchers and theorist have put great effort into defining and examining entrepreneurial ecosystems and how business clusters develop in certain regions. Favourable entrepreneurship ecosystems are thought to drive business and innovation. However, a commonly accepted measure of entrepreneurial ecosystem favourableness has yet to be developed. The purpose of the present research is to contribute to ecosystems research by taking a two-study approach to developing and validating a perceptual… Show more

Researchers and theorist have put great effort into defining and examining entrepreneurial ecosystems and how business clusters develop in certain regions. Favourable entrepreneurship ecosystems are thought to drive business and innovation. However, a commonly accepted measure of entrepreneurial ecosystem favourableness has yet to be developed. The purpose of the present research is to contribute to ecosystems research by taking a two-study approach to developing and validating a perceptual measure of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The perceptual measure is based upon prior conceptual frameworks that outline ecosystems. In developing this measure, we are able to further unpack and illuminate the factor structure of ecosystems, the results of which have direct scholarly and practitioner uses. Show less

We theorize that top executives’ goal orientations (i.e., inherent motivations that shape what individuals generally seek to accomplish when engaging in challenging tasks) affect their firms’ environmental scanning. Specifically, firms whose top executives exhibit higher learning goal orientations (i.e., they seek knowledge in an effort to improve) or higher performance prove goal orientations (i.e., they seek to demonstrate their competence to others) might engage in more environmental… Show more

We theorize that top executives’ goal orientations (i.e., inherent motivations that shape what individuals generally seek to accomplish when engaging in challenging tasks) affect their firms’ environmental scanning. Specifically, firms whose top executives exhibit higher learning goal orientations (i.e., they seek knowledge in an effort to improve) or higher performance prove goal orientations (i.e., they seek to demonstrate their competence to others) might engage in more environmental scanning than firms whose top executives have higher performance avoid goal orientations (i.e., they seek to avoid demonstrating incompetence). We also theorize that these relationships differ between founders (who have more status and influence in their firms) and non-founders (who are under more pressure from owners). As firm environmental scanning is found to relate positively to firm performance, understanding how top executives shape this activity has important theoretical and practical implications. Show less

The third volume of the Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy critically examines past practices, current thinking, and future insights into the ever-expanding world of Entrepreneurship education. It spans topics ranging from innovative practices in facilitating entrepreneurship teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom, learning innovation, model programs, to the latest research from top programs and thoughts leaders in Entrepreneurship. Moreover, the third volume… Show more

The third volume of the Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy critically examines past practices, current thinking, and future insights into the ever-expanding world of Entrepreneurship education. It spans topics ranging from innovative practices in facilitating entrepreneurship teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom, learning innovation, model programs, to the latest research from top programs and thoughts leaders in Entrepreneurship. Moreover, the third volume builds on those previous as it continues to investigate critical issues in designing, implementing and assessing experiential learning techniques in the field of entrepreneurship. Show less

This manuscript expands upon the extant knowledge of self-efficacy by applying social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to entrepreneurship, positing that it is a robust theoretical framework to study individual entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, self-efficacy is an important entrepreneurial construct, central to our understanding of entrepreneurial phenomena, so we explore how self-efficacy shapes entrepreneurial intentions, and provide arguments regarding the roles of both domain-specific… Show more

This manuscript expands upon the extant knowledge of self-efficacy by applying social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to entrepreneurship, positing that it is a robust theoretical framework to study individual entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, self-efficacy is an important entrepreneurial construct, central to our understanding of entrepreneurial phenomena, so we explore how self-efficacy shapes entrepreneurial intentions, and provide arguments regarding the roles of both domain-specific and generalized self-efficacy. Show less

By revisiting the agency theory literature, this paper aims to both incrementally advance historical viewpoints and reveal four prominent influences on agency theory: Weber and Simon, The Great Depression, Cooperation and the Chicago School. This is critical given that understanding the history behind the authors’ major theoretical lenses is fundamental to using these theories to explain various phenomena. We shed light on four areas related to management history that helped propel agency… Show more

By revisiting the agency theory literature, this paper aims to both incrementally advance historical viewpoints and reveal four prominent influences on agency theory: Weber and Simon, The Great Depression, Cooperation and the Chicago School. This is critical given that understanding the history behind the authors’ major theoretical lenses is fundamental to using these theories to explain various phenomena. We shed light on four areas related to management history that helped propel agency theory. Whereas past scholarship has not recognised them as influencers, we find and show how the industrial revolution, unionization, the stock exchange and other management approaches all played a role in the development of agency theory’s core tenants. Show less

Theories develop over time and are influenced by both events and people. Looking primarily at the applications between contracting principal-agent relationships, the purpose of this paper is to explore how agency theory emerged from a number of economic and social developments. In doing so, the authors explain how this once dominant theory comes up short regarding varying realms of entrepreneurship as well as with multiple modern business phenomena.

The second volume of Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy provides entirely new insights into a number of the leading issues surrounding the teaching of entrepreneurship and the building of entrepreneurship programs. This volume spans topics ranging from methods for teaching creatively and the value of the lean startup methodology to empirical insights into whether or not entrepreneurship education changes minds. Five premier universities and the key aspects of their superlative… Show more

The second volume of Annals of Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy provides entirely new insights into a number of the leading issues surrounding the teaching of entrepreneurship and the building of entrepreneurship programs. This volume spans topics ranging from methods for teaching creatively and the value of the lean startup methodology to empirical insights into whether or not entrepreneurship education changes minds. Five premier universities and the key aspects of their superlative entrepreneurship programs are reviewed. In addition, contributors highlight a number of individual innovations that have changed the way entrepreneurship is taught and the manner in which entrepreneurial behavior is facilitated. This book offers an introduction to innovative practices in facilitating entrepreneurial learning both inside and outside the classroom as it investigates critical issues in designing, implementing and assessing experiential learning techniques within entrepreneurship. Show less

This study explored the impact of common undergraduate entrepreneurship classroom activities on students’ motivational processes related to entrepreneurial careers. The findings show that students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy is a driving force in classroom activities enhancing students’ intentions. However, the authors also found that the sort of classroom activities that are common in entrepreneurship education negatively impact students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy. This study lends… Show more

This study explored the impact of common undergraduate entrepreneurship classroom activities on students’ motivational processes related to entrepreneurial careers. The findings show that students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy is a driving force in classroom activities enhancing students’ intentions. However, the authors also found that the sort of classroom activities that are common in entrepreneurship education negatively impact students’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy. This study lends support to the argument that promoting the learning process in entrepreneurship education should focus on real-world experience, action, and reflective processes to engage students in authentic learning, which should lead to greater entrepreneurial abilities and propensity, and eventually to enhanced entrepreneurial performance, which benefits individuals and societies. Show less

This paper explores the true sources of innovation that revolutionized two sports industries – skiing and tennis – tracking the flow of ideas and power of technology brokering through the eyes of the innovator, Howard Head. This paper is the first to offer detailed insight into the technology brokering and innovation processes that revolutionized the tennis and skiing industries. It is novel in that it (a) is one of very few papers to challenge the Great Man Theory of Innovation propagated by… Show more

This paper explores the true sources of innovation that revolutionized two sports industries – skiing and tennis – tracking the flow of ideas and power of technology brokering through the eyes of the innovator, Howard Head. This paper is the first to offer detailed insight into the technology brokering and innovation processes that revolutionized the tennis and skiing industries. It is novel in that it (a) is one of very few papers to challenge the Great Man Theory of Innovation propagated by many textbooks and mass media, (b) explores the process of technology brokering from the broker’s perspective rather than organizationally and (c) employs focal innovation action-set methodology to compliment a historical biographical sketch of innovativeness relative to sports equipment and machines. Show less

The Entrepreneurship Education Project (www.TrepEducation.com) is a global, longitudinal research initiative through which university students offer entrepreneurship educators and researchers data-driven insights into the impact of entrepreneurial education on (1) both the motivational processes underlying students’ road to entrepreneurship and through the entrepreneurial process, and (2) the process of identity transformation from student to entrepreneur. Rooted in Social Cognitive Career… Show more

The Entrepreneurship Education Project (www.TrepEducation.com) is a global, longitudinal research initiative through which university students offer entrepreneurship educators and researchers data-driven insights into the impact of entrepreneurial education on (1) both the motivational processes underlying students’ road to entrepreneurship and through the entrepreneurial process, and (2) the process of identity transformation from student to entrepreneur. Rooted in Social Cognitive Career Theory, the Entrepreneurship Education Project data initiative is the largest, most comprehensive study of students across the globe. Phase I data consists of over 18,000 student responses, spanning over 70 countries and 400 universities. This paper presents an overview of the data, study justification, and conceptual scheme. Initial analyses indicate the study measures met contemporary standards or reliability, exceed the average sample sizes of top-tier entrepreneurship journals, and present some very interesting questions to be explored in future research. Show less

This paper illustrates the instrumental role of reporter Nell Nelson in beginning a national labor reform movement resulting in improved working conditions for women and children in the USA. Drawing on archival newspaper clippings, original scrapbooks kept by prominent Chicago figures of the time, US census records, and other labor history resources, the paper synthesizes heretofore-disparate sources to provide a more complete picture of the cause-and-effect nature of Nelson's Chicago Times… Show more

This paper illustrates the instrumental role of reporter Nell Nelson in beginning a national labor reform movement resulting in improved working conditions for women and children in the USA. Drawing on archival newspaper clippings, original scrapbooks kept by prominent Chicago figures of the time, US census records, and other labor history resources, the paper synthesizes heretofore-disparate sources to provide a more complete picture of the cause-and-effect nature of Nelson's Chicago Times “City slave girls” series. In sum, Nelson was an instrumental force in the formation of over ten advocacy organizations that worked to transform the way women and children in the USA were treated in the workplace and was instrumental in securing legislative reforms. Show less

Successful economies require a strong small business and new start-up sector which in turn creates an entrepreneurial climate. This sector and the resultant entrepreneurial activity create numerous positive impacts to the economy, most notably new starts, job creation, firm growth and innovation. For the majority of small businesses and the relatively unique and high growth entrepreneurial firms to survive and flourish, public policy must contain rules and regulations that neither inhibit or… Show more

Successful economies require a strong small business and new start-up sector which in turn creates an entrepreneurial climate. This sector and the resultant entrepreneurial activity create numerous positive impacts to the economy, most notably new starts, job creation, firm growth and innovation. For the majority of small businesses and the relatively unique and high growth entrepreneurial firms to survive and flourish, public policy must contain rules and regulations that neither inhibit or interfere with this sector but instead provides a level playing field, generate competition, and proactively supports and sustainable entrepreneurial climate. Public policy can shape the economy in which new ventures operate. It establishes regulations and laws guide behavior, determines infrastructure and taxes, and even contributes to creating a positive (or negative) entrepreneurial culture. Thus, public policies directly impact startup venturing in most developed nations and stimulating new business venturing is a focal issue for policy makers at all levels of government. Show less

Social entrepreneurs and market-driven organizations are those that hold themselves accountable to both social and financial outcomes; they advance their mission by building focused strategies and sustainable business models that address customer needs and yield competitive advantage. In this paper, we discuss curricula designed to transform K-12 educators into entrepreneurial school leaders (aka social edu-preneurs)!

This chapter explores the perceptual side of business climate, arguing that individual perceptions of local business climate are directly impacted by views of external factors. To illustrate this, a conceptual scheme is proposed which highlights the cumulative nature of these factors and the impact they have on one’s perception of the local business climate. Tested over a three year period from 2008 – 2010, using data from 2,000 U.S. small and medium sized enterprises, results indicate that… Show more

This chapter explores the perceptual side of business climate, arguing that individual perceptions of local business climate are directly impacted by views of external factors. To illustrate this, a conceptual scheme is proposed which highlights the cumulative nature of these factors and the impact they have on one’s perception of the local business climate. Tested over a three year period from 2008 – 2010, using data from 2,000 U.S. small and medium sized enterprises, results indicate that favorable government policy and the existence of entrepreneurial role models have the strongest and most consistent impact on perceptions of the local business climate. Show less

This study investigates the moderating effects of social competencies, specifically, political skill, self-monitoring and emotional intelligence, on the workplace conflict-abusive behavior relationship. Results indicated that interpersonal conflict in the workplace is associated with employee engagement in counterproductive work behaviors. Results also suggested that social competencies interacted with interpersonal conflict to predict the likelihood of abusing others at work.