Richard Tunstall

A book chapter on criticism of the entrepreneurship university and the future of entrepreneurship education, in the Book '

Within mainstream scholarship, it’s assumed without question that entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education are desirable and positive economic activities. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical approaches and political-philosophical perspectives, critical entrepreneurship studies has emerged to ask the questions which this assumption obscures.

Students… Show more

A book chapter on criticism of the entrepreneurship university and the future of entrepreneurship education, in the Book '

Within mainstream scholarship, it’s assumed without question that entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education are desirable and positive economic activities. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical approaches and political-philosophical perspectives, critical entrepreneurship studies has emerged to ask the questions which this assumption obscures.

Students of entrepreneurship need to understand why and how entrepreneurship is seen as a moral force which can solve social problems or protect the environment, or even to tackle political problems. It is time to evaluate how such contributions and insights have entered our classrooms. How much – if any – critical discussion and insight enters our classrooms? How do we change

If educators are to bring alternative perspectives into the classroom, it will entail a new way of thinking. There is a need to share ideas and practical approaches, and that is what the contributions to this volume aim to do and to illuminate new ways forward in entrepreneurship education. Show less

This paper analyses entrepreneurial activity within existing organisations. Research tends to limit entrepreneurial behaviour to owner-managers, corporate senior and middle managers and often presents intrapreneurship as a positive phenomenon. This paper seeks to broaden the focus of studies of intrapreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship across all employees in established organisations. In particular it seeks to focus on identifying the entrepreneurial propensity of employees at all levels… Show more

This paper analyses entrepreneurial activity within existing organisations. Research tends to limit entrepreneurial behaviour to owner-managers, corporate senior and middle managers and often presents intrapreneurship as a positive phenomenon. This paper seeks to broaden the focus of studies of intrapreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship across all employees in established organisations. In particular it seeks to focus on identifying the entrepreneurial propensity of employees at all levels of the organisation and consider the positive and negative potential of this propensity on the organisation.

Methodology/approach – A single case study approach was used involving the analysis of focus groups, employee surveys, company history and financial data to identify the entrepreneurial propensity of employees in the context of an established organisation.

Findings: It is identified that employees within the sales function of the business had a greater entrepreneurial propensity in comparison to employees in other departments of the business. It is argued that this was due to a less formal structure in this part of the business and a greater focus on successfully achieving goals. It is further argued that organisational structures, opportunity and needs have to meet individual skills, experience and desire in order to create development opportunities for entrepreneurial organisations.

Limitations: In considering intrapreneurship, we should broaden focus to include all organisational employees.

Practical implications: It is suggested, senior managers consider the role of entrepreneurial propensity amongst employees and the potential for this to harm or develop sales.

Originality/value: This paper adds value to the debate on corporate entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship by considering the role of employees at all organisational levels. It acknowledges the positive/negative effects entrepreneurial propensity may have on the organisation. Show less

This doctoral thesis explores and explains social processes in the development of internal corporate ventures. To address this research aim, three research questions are presented to inform the investigation of roles, relationships and social processes in CV activity. In order to address these questions, a critical literature review is presented which explores research findings and conceptual studies in relation to the development of internal corporate ventures and the three specific research… Show more

This doctoral thesis explores and explains social processes in the development of internal corporate ventures. To address this research aim, three research questions are presented to inform the investigation of roles, relationships and social processes in CV activity. In order to address these questions, a critical literature review is presented which explores research findings and conceptual studies in relation to the development of internal corporate ventures and the three specific research questions. This informs the development of three initial thematic templates. A research philosophy is presented which explains the subjectivist ontology and strong social constructionist epistemological stance of the research project. This is followed by an exploration of social processes leading to the development of a conceptual framework. The thematic template and conceptual framework are subsequently interrogated through the analysis of 46 transcripts of telephone interviews with individuals engaged in CV activity. Following the discussion of results, a refinement of the conceptual framework is proposed. Subsequently, a longitudinal CIT case study is presented and analysed in relation to the developed framework. Finally, a key summary is provided and contributions to knowledge, limitations and implications are presented. Show less

This chapter sets out to identify related issues surrounding the use of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in developing relationships between local food producers and consumers (both individuals and businesses). Three surveys were conducted in South-East Wales to consider the overlapping issues. The first concerned the role of ICT in relationships between farmers' markets (FMs) vendors and their traditional customers. The second survey examined potential new markets for farmers in the… Show more

This chapter sets out to identify related issues surrounding the use of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in developing relationships between local food producers and consumers (both individuals and businesses). Three surveys were conducted in South-East Wales to consider the overlapping issues. The first concerned the role of ICT in relationships between farmers' markets (FMs) vendors and their traditional customers. The second survey examined potential new markets for farmers in the propensity of restaurants and hotels to buy locally, the types and sources of purchases made and the modes of advertising of these businesses. The final survey focused on the potential to expand local web-based selling of farmers' produce in the future, by examining the potential market of high ICT-use small hotels. Despite the development of tailored ICT facilities, farmers' market vendors and current individual customers are antipathetic to them. In addition, whilst there is a desire for more local produce particularly amongst independent local restaurants and hotels, this has not been capitalised upon and there is much work to be done even amongst high ICT-use small hotels, to expand the range and scope of farmers' markets. This raises the need for creation and utilisation of enhanced logistics, payment and marketing management capacity available through a web-based presence, linked to promotion of FMs in business-to-business (B2B) links with local restaurants and hotels. This linked quantitative research highlights the potential value in substantial development of both web portals and supporting logistics to exploit this potential in the future. Show less

This paper aims to explore the role of electronic simulation case studies in enterprise education, their effectiveness, and their relationship to traditional forms of classroom-based approaches to experiential learning. The paper seeks to build on previous work within the field of enterprise and management education, specifically in relation to the role of simulations and case studies in higher-education pedagogy, which have previously been considered as distinct… Show more

This paper aims to explore the role of electronic simulation case studies in enterprise education, their effectiveness, and their relationship to traditional forms of classroom-based approaches to experiential learning. The paper seeks to build on previous work within the field of enterprise and management education, specifically in relation to the role of simulations and case studies in higher-education pedagogy, which have previously been considered as distinct techniques.
Design/methodology/approach – Following the use of a specifically designed simulation case study of a small and large business, 57 undergraduate students in a UK university were surveyed using an electronic voting tool and their responses used as the basis for two focus groups, which were conducted with the same students.
Findings – Students saw a link between using the application and learning, found the environment to be immersive and more engaging than a text-based case study, though opinion was divided over its entertainment value. Focus group results highlighted that students believed the environment felt “real” and that students were encouraged to engage in deep and double-loop learning. Students preferred the option of a mixed range of classroom learning experiences, though experienced gameplayers were less likely to find the simulation case entertaining than non-gameplayers.
Originality/value – Given the increasing interest in e-learning within higher education, and subsequent attempts to improve the student experience through electronic media, this paper highlights the importance of focusing on effective learning opportunities in developing experiential enterprise education tools. Show less

This principally conceptual paper explores how, in conjunction with its market orientation, a firm's internal and external strategic relationships may be used in implementing corporate venturing to achieve its strategic intent. Conceptually, the paper begins by exploring work on strategic corporate venturing. Building on this analysis, a dichotomy between internally sustained and externally partnered strategic relationships is discussed, as is the role of market orientation. From this… Show more

This principally conceptual paper explores how, in conjunction with its market orientation, a firm's internal and external strategic relationships may be used in implementing corporate venturing to achieve its strategic intent. Conceptually, the paper begins by exploring work on strategic corporate venturing. Building on this analysis, a dichotomy between internally sustained and externally partnered strategic relationships is discussed, as is the role of market orientation. From this discussion, a conceptual framework is developed and applied to an examination of three longitudinal case studies of multinational organizations. In light of these cases, the paper explores how strategic relationships may be used in corporate ventures to counter adverse market forces or to exploit market opportunities. The paper concludes by showing how organizational strategic intent, realized through market orientation and strategic relationships, may develop dynamically in response to external and internal influences. Show less

A growing body of evidence suggests that relevant, well-designed simulations can make a valuable contribution to students’ experiences in training and education and go some way toward meeting the expectations of students who have grown up with immersive, computer-mediated games. Within universities, many barriers exist that may prevent the effective development of this work, in part because of the nature of the traditional roles of both academics and developers who undertake these activities… Show more

A growing body of evidence suggests that relevant, well-designed simulations can make a valuable contribution to students’ experiences in training and education and go some way toward meeting the expectations of students who have grown up with immersive, computer-mediated games. Within universities, many barriers exist that may prevent the effective development of this work, in part because of the nature of the traditional roles of both academics and developers who undertake these activities. Through a discussion of the experiences of working within a successful cross-functional team, the authors discuss the practice of developing an innovative eLearning simulation tool for an undergraduate course and how the challenges of combining the developer and educationalist roles were overcome. By synthesizing theories in educational philosophy and game design processes, a conceptual framework for ensuring quality in creative education projects is outlined that may be applied to the development of eLearning and adaptive game projects. Show less

Heritage is the key to the success of the tourism industry in Wales. Tourism itself is one of the largest and most important industries in the Principality, contributing £2.5 billion in spending from visitors, 7% to GDP and 10% of jobs to the economy. Following a period of substantial growth during the 1980s and 1990s, the industry has seen a period of decline over recent years. This paper analyses the proposition that an attitude of enterprise and innovation must be embraced if the heritage… Show more

Heritage is the key to the success of the tourism industry in Wales. Tourism itself is one of the largest and most important industries in the Principality, contributing £2.5 billion in spending from visitors, 7% to GDP and 10% of jobs to the economy. Following a period of substantial growth during the 1980s and 1990s, the industry has seen a period of decline over recent years. This paper analyses the proposition that an attitude of enterprise and innovation must be embraced if the heritage tourism industry in Wales is to be used as a catalyst for economic regeneration and development. The aim of the study was to assess to what extent intrapreneurial behaviour was occurring in the three organizations investigated and what were the views on enterprise of those surveyed. The research reported on case studies of the intrapreneurial characteristics of the small and medium-sized heritage tourism enterprises (SMHTEs) in the eastern valleys of south Wales. Three organizations were analysed and the data collated to produce, in combination with the contemporary literature, recommendations for successful growth and sustained socioeconomic development. The conclusions of the work suggest that intrapreneurial behaviour in existing organizations is directly linked to staff engagement and empowerment. Show less