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A worldwide forum for the discussion of ideas and experience relating to the development and application of entrepreneurship.

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Edited by:
Dr Gerard McElwee

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African Entrpreneurship

Editorial coverage

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation was launched at the beginning of a century in which an understanding of the nature, process and practice of entrepreneurship will be a key factor in economic success.

Worldwide, the proliferation of small businesses and their increasing importance in the economy mean that the management and growth of such enterprises are ever-more critical in national and regional development. At the same time, changes in work patterns and the frequent opportunities for innovation offered by accelerating technological development make entrepreneurship within organizations - 'intrapreneurship' - a core challenge for large companies. From multinational to micro-enterprise, no business can afford to ignore this issue.

What is entrepreneurship? Can it be taught? How do entrepreneurs balance their innovative talents with the need to manage their business and control its growth? How do large organizations encourage and empower entrepreneurial behaviour? The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation addresses these and many other questions, focusing on practical application - from becoming an entrepreneur, through making financial choices, through strategic planning, to internationalization and acquisition. As entrepreneurship also has a key role to play outside the private sector, the journal includes in its coverage entrepreneurial issues in non-profit public-sector organizations.

Published quarterly, IJEI provides a worldwide forum for the exploration and dissemination of ideas and experience relating to the development and application of entrepreneurship. The journal takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the highest-quality work in business and management and in the social sciences.

Authors and readers are drawn from universities, government, and industry. In particular, IJEI will appeal to researchers and teachers concerned with entrepreneurship and related issues in higher education (especially in business schools, and university departments of management, sociology and psychology); to government departments and initiatives whose objective is to promote entrepreneurial and innovative activity; and to human resources directors and chief executives in industry, as well as to entrepreneurs themselves.

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ISSN 1465-7503) is a refereed journal and is published in February, May, August and November. Online access to the electronic edition is provided as a free supplement to subscribers to the printed journal.

Key topics
  • Strategic dimensions of growth
  • The entrepreneur as manager of a growing company
  • Financing company growth
  • Internationalization and growth
  • The acquisitions process of a growing company
  • Teaching entrepreneurship
  • Strategic alliances
  • New forms of organization
  • Women and entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial behaviour in large organizations
  • Entrepreneurship in developing countries
  • Making allies in business
  • Ethics, the entrepreneur and the company
Contents

Each issue of IJEI includes four to six double-blind peer-reviewed papers. Contents and abstracts of the latest issue are available on this Website.

In addition to the selected papers, regular features are:

  • A case study of around 2,000-3,000 words. Designed for use in the 'classroom', case studies will be supported by questions, provided either by the author or the editor. The case studies will be diverse in coverage and approach. They may, for example: (1) describe a process whereby an entrepreneurial activity has succeeded or failed; (2) outline the stages involved in establishing a new enterprise: innovation, start-up, maturation, growth and decline; or (3) analyse a particular facet of a new enterprise (eg a human resource issue or the financing of the enterprise).
  • The Internet Review. This section identifies and reviews Websites of interest for those interested in research on entrepreneurship, small firms and innovation in an international context.

Submissions - Notes For Authors

Authors: please read and revise your manuscript to achieve the following requirements before submitting your manuscript to the Editor. Submissions should be sent by e-mail to Dr Gerard McElwee - gerard.mcelwee(a)ntu.ac.uk.

Length and presentation of contributions

Articles should preferably be in the region of 3,000–5,000 words and no longer than 6,000. Case studies are also sought, and such contributions will be especially welcome from practising entrepreneurs. These should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words long. Submissions should be submitted electronically as Word documents (please do not send PDF files).

The text should be ordered under appropriate sub-headings (not numbered paragraphs or sections) and these should not be more than 800 words apart. Three levels of sub-heading are possible. Please double space all text.

The title page should show the names and addresses of the authors, their professional status and affiliation and the address (including e-mail) to which correspondence should be sent. As this page will not be sent to referees, the title of the article (without author names) should be repeated on the first text page.

An abstract should be provided, comprising 100–150 words.

Between 3 and 6 keywords should appear below the abstract, highlighting the main topics of the paper.

References should follow the Harvard system. That is, they should be shown within the text as the author’s surname (or authors’ surnames) followed by a comma and the year of publication, all in round brackets: for example, (Smith, 2001).For textual citations, where there are two authors please use the word 'and', not the ampersand (thus: '(Smith and Jones, 2012)'. Where there are more than two authors, please use the first-named author only, followed by 'et al' in italics (thus: Smith et al, 2012). At the end of the article a bibliographical list should be supplied, organized alphabetically by author (surnames followed by initials - all authors should be named). Bibliographic information should be given in the order indicated by the following examples:

* Articles: McMullan, W.E., and Vesper, K.H. (2000), 'Becoming an entrepreneur: a participant's perspective', International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Vol 1, No 1, pp 33-43.

 * Books: Casson, M. (2003), The Entrepreneur: An Economic Theory, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.

Notes should be numbered consecutively in the text and typed in plain text at the end of the paper (not as footnotes on text pages).

Tables should be reduced to the simplest form and present only essential data. They should be submitted on separate sheets at the end of the article. The use of vertical rules in tables should be avoided.

For illustrations, line drawings and black and white photographs are acceptable. Authors are asked to supply originals of line drawings for reproduction.

Case studies

Case studies are welcome and should follow the format described above. They should be accompanied by a set of questions and model answers (see previous issues for clarification).

Case Study Submission Notes

Structure of papers

Please do provide: (a) clear aims and objectives; (b) a clear research question; (c) a discussion of your methodological approach; (d) a discussion of the limitations of your methodology; (e) further research questions if appropriate; (f) the policy implications of your paper if appropriate. Please also ensure that the bibliography is as contemporary as possible.

Pre-submission checklist
  1. Indicate in your covering letter (that is, your e-mail message) of submission what is unique and valuable about the manuscript.
  2. All figures and tables must be at the end of the manuscript; indicate the desired placement in text with ‘Insert Table 1 about here’ etc.
  3. Make sure that you double space everything on the cover, abstract, text, and reference pages using 12-point Times Roman type.
  4. Use UK English.
  5. Consider asking someone to read the manuscript before submission and give comments to you. The person can be thanked in the footnote paragraph at the bottom of the cover page.
  6. Centre page numbers at the foot of each page; do not place a page number on the cover page.
  7. Include the month and year in the centre of the cover page.
  8. Quotations should be within single quotation marks.
Prior Publication

Articles are received on the understanding that they are original contributions, and have not been published officially, either in print or electronic form, or submitted for publication elsewhere. In this respect, ‘discussion’ or ‘working’ papers, conference presentations and proceedings are not considered to be official publications, unless they have been formally deemed so by conference organizers, or presented as edited works through recognized publishing channels. If in doubt, authors are asked to draw the attention of the Editor to any prior dissemination of the paper in their letter of submission. Please note that articles should not be posted on personal Websites or social networking sites before or after submission.

Refereeing

Academic papers will be subject to a ‘double blind’ review – the anonymity of both authors and referees will be preserved throughout the refereeing process. Papers by authors who are not academics (such as submissions from practising entrepreneurs) will also be subject to review before acceptance, but their distinct nature and aims will be fully taken into account.

Copyright

Authors will be asked to assign copyright, where possible, to IP Publishing Ltd. Relevant authors’ rights are protected.

Author Checklist for Final versions

Editorial Board

Editor: Dr Gerard McElwee, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Nottingham Trent Business School, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU, UK. E-mail: gerard.mcelwee(a)ntu.ac.uk.

Regional Editors: Asia - Professor Manoj Joshi, Amity University, India; Canada and USA - Professor E. McMullan, University of Calgary, Canada; Europe - Dr Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd, ALBA Graduate School of Business, Greece.

Internet Review Editor: Clifford Conway, Small Business Research Unit, Brighton Business School, University of Brighton, Mithras House, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4AT, UK. E-mail: c.conway(a)brighton.ac.uk

Book Reviews Editor: Geoff Whittam, Business School, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK. E-mail: Geoffrey.Whittam(a)uws.ac.uk

Editorial Advisory Board
  • Professor Alistair R. Anderson
    The Robert Gordon University, UK
  • Professor Costas Andriopoulos
    Cardiff University, UK
  • Professor Alan Carsrud
    Ryerson University, Canada
  • Professor Leo Paul Dana
    University of Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Professor Davide Dell'Anno
    Second University of Naples, Italy
  • Dr Simon Down
    Newcastle University Business School, UK
  • Professor Alain Fayolle
    EM Lyon, France
  • Dr Laura Galloway
    Heriot-Watt University, UK
  • Dr Rainer Harms
    University of Twente, The Netherlands
  • Professor Jill Kickul
    NYU Stern School of Business, USA
  • Professor Harry Matlay
    Birmingham City University Business School, UK
  • Professor Pauric McGowan
    University of Ulster, UK
  • Professor Jay Mitra
    University of Essex, UK
  • Dr Kevin Mole
    University of Warwick, UK
  • Professor Michael H. Morris
    Oklahoma State University, USA
  • Professor Wai-sum Siu
    Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Professor George T. Solomon
    Geroge Washington University, USA
  • Professor Harriet B. Stephenson
    Seattle University, USA
  • Professor Rhodri Thomas
    Leeds Metropolitan University, UK
  • Dr Peter van der Sijde
    Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Professor Kari M. Vesala
    University of Helsinki, Finland
  • Dr Lorraine Warren
    University of Southampton, UK
  • Professor Paul Westhead
    Durham University Business School, UK
  • Dr David Wilemon
    Syracuse University, USA
  • Professor Colin C. Williams,
    University of Sheffield, UK

Books for review

If you would like to review a book, please contact the Book Reviews Editor (details below). Publishers should send books for review to:

Geoff Whittam
Business School
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
Paisley
PA1 2BE
UK
E-mail: Geoffrey.Whittam(at)uws.ac.uk

FEBRUARY 2012 ISSUE (VOL 13, NO 1)

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUSINESS SUPPORT, FIRM GROWTH, MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN SMEs
Guest editors: Jonathan M. Scott and Kevin F. Mole

5 Introduction

11 Predicting management development and learning behaviour in New Zealand SMEs

David Deakins, Martina Battisti, Alan Coetzer and Hernan Roxas

25 Teaching old dogs new tricks: why unlearning matters in SMEs

Ian McKeow

35 Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitive advantage in SMEs

Helen Fogg

45 Targeting for growth: a critical examination

David Smallbone and Claire Massey

57 Can business assistance systems perform their task? Summary of a research workshop at the Academy of Management Conference, Montréal, August 2010

Sergio Janczak, Franck Barès and Alain Fayolle


69 Internet Review: Disabled entrepreneurs Clifford Conway

70 Book Reviews

Paul Burns, Entrepreneurship and Small Business – Start-up,Growth and Maturity
(reviewed by Cathie Wright)
Sameeksha Desai, Peter Nijkamp and Roger R. Stough, eds, New Directions in Regional Economic Development: the Role of Entrepreneurship Theory and Methods, Practice and Policy
(reviewed by Mike Danson)
Wenxian Zhang, Huiyao Wang and Ilan Alon, Entrepreneurial and Business Elites of China: the Chinese Returnees Who Have Shaped Modern China
(reviewed by Xin Guo)

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Title: Predicting management development and learning behaviour in New Zealand SMEs

Author(s): David Deakins, Martina Battisti, Alan Coetzer and Hernan Roxas

Abstract: Despite concern on the part of policy makers to raise managerial capability in SMEs, there is little evidence on the key drivers of owner-manager participation in management development programmes. The authors argue that such participation is poorly understood. The paper develops a predictive model of the drivers of participation in sources of learning by owner-managers. It tests a theoretical model, based on the small firm as a learning organization, which posits that participation is driven by owner-managers' learning orientation and the extent of their belief in self-improvement. The implications of the results are discussed in light of the provision of management development programmes.

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Title: Teaching old dogs new tricks: why unlearning matters in SMEs

Author(s): Ian McKeown

Abstract: Developing a better understanding of how small firms release redundant knowledge, beliefs and practices is becoming increasingly important in environments characterized by discontinuity. This explorative research focuses on unlearning as a means of accomplishing this task. The self-reinforcing and enduring nature of existing knowledge, practice and situated power is recognized. Unlearning requires a sustained disruptive discourse to challenge the embedded assumptions of the firm. A significant finding of the research is that this discourse is often beyond the capability of the firm itself. The intervention of external actors is therefore required to create the necessary reflective space and legitimacy to reframe knowledge and beliefs.

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Title: Tracing the links between absorptive capacity, university knowledge exchange and competitive advantage in SMEs

Author(s): Helen Fogg

Abstract: Can university knowledge exchange give small businesses the ability to gain competitive advantage? The main purpose of this study is, first, to understand the limitations for small firms in absorbing knowledge from higher education institutions and, second, to ascertain whether access to knowledge resources, such as a university, can be an antecedent factor for building absorptive capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating business value. The paper is a conceptual study in which a model for knowledge exchange between a management school and SMEs is proposed. The model was developed, drawing on the literature and prior SME knowledge exchange expertise of the management school, to deliver a three-year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project, ‘Innovation for Growth’, is designed to embed innovation in the business processes and practices of 300 SMEs in the north-west of England. This paper offers recommendations for improving policy aimed at supporting the innovation process of small firms; a proposed model of knowledge exchange between university and small firms; and a strategy for small businesses to improve their absorptive capacity.

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Title: Targeting for growth: a critical examination

Author(s): David Smallbone and Claire Massey

Abstract: The targeting debate has been around for more than 20 years, and yet we are still discussing how best to identify high-growth SMEs. Following a discussion of targeting issues and a review of some of the key literature on SME growth, the paper focuses on an empirical analysis of the performance of a panel of SMEs in New Zealand over a three-year period. The results show that, even when growth occurs in SMEs, it is typically discontinuous. In addition, most of the easily verifiable profile characteristics that are often used for targeting, such as size, sector, age, whether or not the firm is exporting and/or innovating, did not consistently distinguish growth firms from others. Possible conclusions are that policy makers need more effective long-term assessment of government programmes and/or that the heterogeneity of those enterprises able to achieve growth points towards the principle of self-selection. However, the authors suggest a more radical response based on investing more in education and training and aiming to make more explicit the implications of actions and non- actions by entrepreneurs with regard to growth.

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Title: Can business assistance systems perform their task? Summary of a research workshop at the Academy of Management Conference, Montréal, August 2010

Author(s): Sergio Janczak, Franck Barès and Alain Fayolle

Abstract: This paper summarizes the presentations by invited speakers and discussions at a Professional Development Workshop held at the Academy of Management Conference in Montréal, Canada, on 7 August 2010. Participants exchanged views and experiences concerning the need to develop more theoretical approaches in business assistance systems, and suggested ways to work in that direction.

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Title: Internet Review: Disabled entrepreneurs

Author(s): Clifford Conway

Abstract: ‘Internet Review’ provides critical commentaries on Web-based information on entrepreneurship, small business and innovation.

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