2. Entrepreneurship: An Exciting Research Domain
R. Duane Ireland
Mays Lunch & Learn
November 1, 2016

3. Multiple Perspectives about Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship tends to be thought of as a process
Through which newness (in the form of products, processes, & markets) is created (Lumpkin & Dess, 1996)
Through which wealth is created (Schumpeter, 1934)
Through which new organizations are created (Dobrev & Barnett, 2005)
Of organizational creation, renewal, and/or innovation within or outside an existing organization (Sharma & Chrisman, 1999)
By which individuals pursue opportunities without regard to resources they currently control for the purpose of exploiting future goods & services (Stevenson & Jarillo, 1990)

4. Perspectives about Entrepreneurship – Continued
As a process, entrepreneurship creates value at a minimum of two levels
For firms, entrepreneurship yields
Innovations in the form of products, processes, & administrative routines (Covin & Miles, 1999)
Value for stakeholders, perhaps most visibly for customers & shareholders (Hitt, Ireland, Camp, & Sexton, 2001)
For society, entrepreneurship
Contributes to several outcomes including
Job creation (Birley, 1986)
Technological progress and the revitalization of economies (Zahra, 2005)
The shaping of global cultures (Inglehart & Baker, 2000)
An eclectic phenomenon, scholars from multiple disciplines examine the process of entrepreneurship
Accounting, anthropology, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, political science, psychology, & sociology (Ireland & Webb, 2007)

5. Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs (in existing organizations & in start-ups)
Engage in entrepreneurship
In a sense, entrepreneurs seek to
Learn how to adapt to environmental changes
And exploit opportunities that uncertainties associated with environmental changes create (Venkataraman & Sarasvathy, 2001)
In slightly different words entrepreneurs
Assemble & integrate all resources required to
Successfully exploit identified opportunities (Barringer & Ireland, 2016)

6. Entrepreneurship-Related Research Topics
The number of entrepreneurship-related research questions is virtually endless
Sample questions include
What enables enduring entrepreneurship?
Why are some but not all firms able to consistently renew through entrepreneurship?
How do informal institutions influence entrepreneurship?
What is the role of entrepreneurship in the informal economy?
How can successful patterns of international entrepreneurship be encouraged?
How can entrepreneurial firms successfully identify future market opportunities? (MKT)
What internal processes best facilitate the transfer of entrepreneurial knowledge across organizational units? (SCM)
What types of information & data are of the greatest value to potential investors? (FINC)
What are “best practices” for entrepreneurial firms to use to manage their financial resources? (ACCT)
What is the role of strategic entrepreneurship in conversations about entrepreneurship?
How can we understand competitive dynamics using an entrepreneurship lens?

8. Putting entrepreneurship to work
Est. 1999
Putting entrepreneurship to work

11. Graduate certificate- cross campus eligibility
UG Mays
Lean startup class
Graduate certificate- cross campus eligibility
Foundations / technology commercialization / negotiations / creativity / leadership / entrepreneurial finance
Cross campus Minor in process

13. Startup Living Learning Community (Hullaballoo Hall)

14. What is Blackstone Charitable Foundation?
20 Universities
Texas (TAMU, UT and UT Dallas) January Grand Opening
Purpose and Benefit to TAMU
Stitching together entrepreneurial ecosystem
Megaphone for programs, events & activities on campus
Want to Get Involved? Need Mentors and Coaches!

15. Want to Get Involved? Want to help entrepreneurial Aggies?
Judge a Competition
Sponsor a Prize – Fund a Venture – Award a Scholarship
Become a Mentor