1. Jerzy Cieslik, Dynamic Entrepreneurship
Applying the entrepreneurship theory and good practices to identifying a viable PhD concept
Prof. Jerzy Cieślik
Kozminski University

2. Jerzy Cieslik, Dynamic Entrepreneurship
Objectives
Identify differences and similarities in the process of:
launching a new business
writing a PhD thesis
Apply the key concepts and practices of entrepreneurship to writing a PhD thesis
Testing tools designed for enhancing PhD process
Promote entrepreneurial attitudes among PhD students (proactiveness, innovativeness, risk acceptance)
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3. New business venture as a process
Each business is different, but ..
There is a defined set of core gestation activities leading to formation of a viable business
There are obvious sequences of certain gestation activities
There are certain rules and good practices for efficient formation of a viable business
Learning from successful businessmen
Learning from business failures (others and own)

4. PhD as a process
Can we use accumulated body of knowledge in the new business formation process for writing and defending PhD thesis?
Do we need PhD candidates with entrepreneurial orientation?
proactiveness
innovativeness
risk-taking attitude

7. Launching new business Writing PhD thesis
Risk of failure
Launching new business
Writing PhD thesis
Out of new businesses established in 2009 in Poland only 31% survived until 2014
employer firms - 59%,
solo entities – 26%
legal entities 50%,
sole proprietorships – 30%
Survival rates of franchised businesses much higher than de novo independent firms
Limited number of Kozminski PhD students have defended their PhD during or immediately after study
Success rate greatly improved in recent years
The ratio is much higher among those who have formalized PhD process in the course of study
Survival rates of „franchised PhDs” much higher than freelance ones

8. Business vs PHD: Why do they fail?
Launching new business
Writing PhD thesis
Liability of newness
Initial business idea not viable
Lack of skills and experiences
Shortage of financing
Detailed business plan not elaborated properly
Inability to overcome mounting problems during start-up phase
Academic perspective business perspective
Non-viable PHD subject
Lack of analytical and PhD process management skills
K PLN - manageable
Delayed process of identifying viable PhD subject
Lack of well-defined timetable, with milestones, etc.

9. Consequences of failure
Launching new business
Writing PhD thesis
Financial
Stress for the family
Feeling of being a loser
Negative perceptions by family and friends
Grief, depression, nervous breakdown
Entrepreneurs do not have failures but valuable business experiences
Appr. 30 K PLN manageable, alternative costs much higher
Stress for the family
From candidate to PHD loser
Bad image of „certified participant” of PhD Program
Consequences less serious, but ..
Consecutive attempts to write PhD thesis very seldom

10. Writing a PhD thesis: Key bottlenecks
Jerzy Cieslik, Dynamic Entrepreneurship
Writing a PhD thesis: Key bottlenecks
Inefficient and delayed search for viable PhD subject
Lack of academic skills for assessing the „state of the art” in a given sub-discipline
Problems with data – availability, reliability, delayed collection process
but
Timely and efficient identification of a viable concept of PhD thesis – critical success factor
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11. Our focus

12. PHD Readiness Check - 8 Steps Area
Date: 25 February 2014
PHD Readiness Check - 8 Steps
Level
Area
Description of the preparatory activities
Close to 0
Initial
Inter mediate
Mature
1. PHD field selected
Position your planned subject on the Discipline Research Map. Identify the Core and Immediate Upper Levels. Identify your PHD subject.
2. Getting PHD Supervisor
Establish contact with the PHD Supervisor. Discuss with him the concept of your PHD theseis and obtain his/her consent.
3. Initial discipline research review
Perform the 5X5 framework excercise - Global and Polish Perspective. Identify and study most relevant (review) papers on your Core and Upper level subject.
4. Initial literature review
Collect papers most relevant to the Core level and perform the analysis of their content using tabular format.
5. Initial empirical research review
From initial literature review identify research methods mostly used in a given field, variables, and their operationalization as well as sampling techniques.
6. Checking data availability
Identify source of data for your PHD, check whethrer variables from the global research can be adopted, operationalized and tested. Obtain the initial approval for releasing data for research purposes.
7. Drafting journal article for submission
Elaborate the timetable for writing PHD thesis and PHD Business Plan. Confirm availability of your time vis-a-vis your professional, family and social obligations.
8. Confirming (human) resources availability

13. Key message
Going through 8 steps with supporting tools during first year, radically enhancess chances for success

14. Practical tools – what they are and are not?
Jerzy Cieslik, Dynamic Entrepreneurship
Practical tools – what they are and are not?
Focusing on the identification of the VIABLE PhD subject
Making the PHD preparation process more efficient
Speeding up the PhD process
Identifying smart ways and efficient practices
But not substitutes for:
Regular contacts with your PhD supervisor
Accumulating knowledge in the particular research field
Mastering the research methods relevant for your subject
Participating in the PhD study program
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