Bissett professors Dorland, Finch and Raby have research published
Congratulations to Bissett professors, AnneMarie Dorland, PhD., David Finch PhD., and Simon Raby, PhD., for having their recent collaborations accepted by various journals:
Finch, D., Levallet, N., Mccaffery, T., Esponoza, A. and Raby, S. (2020). Dynamic Management Capabilities View of Small to Medium-sized Enterprise Export Readiness: A Canadian Perspective, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Abstract: Increased trade liberalization and advancements in technology have established the foundation for global expansion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). However, data demonstrates that most SMEs continue to focus almost exclusively on their domestic market. In this study, we leverage resource orchestration (RO) and dynamic capabilities (DC) to explore the managerial and firm level resources critical to supporting SME export expansion. This includes conducting multi-staged qualitative research to define these resources (N=28). This research identifies company age, operational resources, financial capacity, and employee knowledge and skills. In addition, we isolate dynamic managerial capabilities (DMCs) related to cognition (e.g. managerial experiences and decision-making), social capital (e.g. developing strong internal and external networks) and human capital (e.g. ability to maximize the value of people) as critical to export expansion. Lastly, we use our findings to develop a conceptual model and associated instrumentation of SME export readiness to guide future empirical research.
Dorland, AM., Finch, D., Levallet, N., Raby S., Ross, S. and Swiston, A. (2020) An Entrepreneurial View of Work Universal Work Integrated Learning, Education + Training
Work-integrated learning (WIL) has emerged as a leading pedagogy that blends theory with application. In recent years, policymakers, educators and practitioners have called for a significant expansion of WIL, one which would enable every undergraduate student has at least one WIL experience during their program of study. Despite these appeals, there remains a significant divide between the aspiration of universality and the realities. Consequently, the study ask the following question: How can post secondary institutions expand their WIL initiatives to universal levels that deliver transformative learning?
Bissett professor Simon Raby publishes research and to be guest editor for International Small Business Journal (2022)
Congratulations to Bissett Entrepreneurship professor, Simon Raby, PhD., on having his paper published in the Journal of Small Business Strategy:
Salder, J., Gilman, M., Raby, S. and Gkikas, A. (2020) Beyond linearity and resource-based perspectives of SME growth, Journal of Small Business Strategy, 30(1): 1-17.
Abstract:
Recent debates have seen increased interest in the growth of SMEs. Most research however follows a limited remit, focusing on specific subsets and employing narrow, resource-based perspectives. A consequence is our knowledge is limited on how SME growth occurs more broadly and the critical determinants in this process. This paper addresses this gap, examining SME growth as a multidimensional process rather than an output.
The paper operationalizes a Four Dimensions Conceptual Model through a Systematic Literature Review of 36 studies on the growth process. It identifies a broader set of determinants supporting a multidimensional approach, the pluralistic nature of SME growth embedded in distinctive contexts. Evidence suggests a greater reliance on firm-based Characteristics and Environmental factors in supporting growth, providing critical inputs into forming and reinforcing networks through which firm-based resources are activated. We emphasize the need to test these propositions through more SME research using qualitative and longitudinal
“This Special Issue seeks to encourage scholars to continue the shift from ‘how much’ to ‘how’ firms grow by calling for a broad palette of contexts and analyses which might span industry context through to cultural expectations. Contemporary interest in high growth firms remains central, while language begins to shift to ‘scale-ups’ and ‘scaling’ processes. The challenges of scaling organizations, though frequently explored in policy and practice, remain under researched. This potentially opens new avenues of opportunity as scholars investigate the specific limits of firm growth, whether they be managerial or reliant on other resources and capacities within and outside the firm.”
7th Annual JMH LaunchPad Pitch Competition another huge success!
The JMH LaunchPad competition is in its seventh year of recognizing and rewarding MRU student entrepreneurs. Hosted by the Institute of Innovation an Entrepreneurship, the annual competition has become a 300 seat sell-out event filled with investors, students, and community members who come to see the student entrepreneurs pitch their ventures for a chance at $80,000 in start-up funds (cash and in-kind services). The student entrepreneurs at Mount Royal University continue to impress and lead in Calgary’s entrepreneurial community.
Participating students were: Gio Moros, E-Cash; Silvia Bezzi, Arielle Fitzgerald, Marc Nzojibwami, Mooch; Gurpartap Baidwan, Move N’Store; Luke Morstad, Outlier Surf & Adventure Co; Tarandeep Singh Kainth, Sharyeo; Kevin Wojcial, Venure Tech Innovations VR; Vladimar Taikov, WorkMore.
Congratulations to all of our student entrepreneurs! A complete list of results can be found here.
Venture Design Studio Winners
As part of the Innovation and the Entrepreneurial experience course (ENTR 2301), Venture Design Studios, students identify a problem and find an innovative solution using the Lean Startup methodology. Throughout the year, approximately 45 external experts provide feedback and insight to 500 participating students.
At the end of the semester there is Venture Design Studios finals where the top 7 teams pitch their ideas. This semester, the winning venture and people’s choice was Safe Stir, an innovative and discrete stir stick that could identify whether a substance has been put into a drink.
The Venture Design Studio is a great example of an experiential course that seeks to drive the entrepreneurial skill-set of our students. Congratulations to these innovative students!
MRU hosts 2019 Sports Business Roundtable
After the failed Olympic bid, Mount Royal University professors, Dr. David Finch and Dr. David Legg , recognizing that the “business of sports is not just a business unto itself but rather a critical driver of the future vision of our city”, determined that an in-depth discussion and a critical analysis of the regional sports environment was warranted. This was the impetus behind the inaugural and hugely successful, Sports Business Round-table held at Mount Royal University on March 20, 2019.
The event was comprised of over 40 regional sport business leaders from a variety of private and public organizations representing a diverse cross-section of sports. The purpose of the round-table was to measure interest in establishing a collective approach to furthering the vision and purpose of sport in the region and using this as the “catalyst” to position the City of Calgary and the Bow Valley Corridor into “Canada’s most livable region”.
Vigorous discussion ensued, a massive amount of comments were collected and a plan of action was formed! The information collected along with the post event feedback has helped Dr. David Finch and Dr. David Legg determine the necessity of a strategic plan that will encompass collaboration, community engagement and targeted evidence based research initiatives.
Going forward, an independent working group, [Sport Business Working Group] will continue to “examine the role of sport business ecosystem as a catalyst for delivering the larger community priorities in our region.” The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will continue to host, facilitate and administer the group. A community board will be recruited by Dr. Finch and Dr. Legg. This community board will provide guidance, offer support to ensure alignment across the “ecosystem” and aid in building formal and informal partnerships to drive public engagement.
For further information, contact Dr. David Finch at dfinch@mtroyal.ca or Dr. David Legg at dlegg@mtoyal.ca
James Stauch, Director of the Institute for Community Prosperity announces the Student Guide to Mapping a System is complete!
“The Student Guide to Mapping a System, which we are proud to say is an MRU-Oxford U co-production, along with Daniela Papi-Thornton’s organization, Systems-Led Leadership. Hats off to Anna as well for her work in helping author and compile. This will be shared with 3000+ students worldwide registered in the Map the System Challenge, and with participating educators at 16 Canadian universities and 19 universities outside of Canada (including Harvard, Yale and Northwestern).” – James Stauch
Bissett Contract Instructor Kris Hans combines his passion for tech and entrepreneurship into mentoring
Bissett contract instructor, Kris Hans is an active speaker and participant in a variety of initiatives at the institutions where he teaches (UofC and MRU). Kris participated in the Mount Royal Cyber Safety Summit again this year. Kris’s topic was titled, “Unwanted guests. The dangers of home assistants and other internet connected devices“ expanding on the Internet of Things topic he debuted at last year’s inaugural Cyber Safety Summit. (Last year’s talk was titled, “Should I buy that internet connected toaster.” )
Bissett to Play Key Role in Small Business Institutional Consortia
Partnering with Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Lethbridge, and NAIT, Bissett will play a key role in a the Small Business Steward Pilot research program. In addition to aiding in business start-up success in Alberta by making it easier for small businesses to locate and access available business support, the pilot will collect valuable information and data that can be used by academia, government and service providers to better respond to small business needs and economic trends. Please contact Professor Simon Raby for more information (sraby@mtroyal.ca).
Bissett Research on Small Business Growth a Big Hit!
Professor Simon Raby, a new member of faculty in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship, recently launched the findings of an 18-month study on the growth of Alberta’s Small and Medium-Enterprises. In the past four week alone, the report entitled “What Drives SME Growth? Introducing the Leader’s Growth Mindset” has been read online over 1,000 times and has been downloaded 300 times from academia.edu, ranking Raby in the top 1% of academics for impact on this global platform. A short (6 minute) animated video is now available. You can find this video and report here: www.mtroyal.ca/businessgrowth.
Congratulations Simon, we look forward to future updates.
Bissett student headed to the Canadian Business Model Competition
Ray DePaul, Director for the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship says “this competition is unique in Canada as the students are not evaluated on their final venture idea, but rather on the journey they took to arrive at a validated business model. Emily and her co-founder Austin Lang are a great example of the effectiveness of the Lean Startup model as they continuously tested their assumptions by engaging first hand with their potential customers. The result was a very successful business that might otherwise have failed due to a series of invalid assumptions. Emily heads to Halifax on March 10th to tell her story to the judges.”