Program Director Contact Details:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PG)
Name: Dr Allan O’Connor
Email: allan.oconnor@adelaide.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 8313 0188

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Short Bio:

Dr Allan O’Connor is the postgraduate Academic Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation. Allan combines his extensive experience in confronting the growth issues of small and medium enterprises and business start-up to inform and guide his teaching and research. Entrepreneurship and innovation have many components and Allan's main teaching interests are in the assessment of business opportunities, entrepreneurial strategy and developing research skills. Since 2012 he has co-authored the leading Asia Pacific text, 'Entrepreneurship: Theory, Process and Practice', with Professors Howard Frederick and Donald Kuratko.  His research examines the intersection between entrepreneurship, innovation and socioeconomic development which has led to the development of the Australian Cluster Observatory and an in-depth study of entrepreneurial ecosystems. His growing portfolio of research publications in international peer reviewed journals is testament to the significance of Allan’s research agenda to his research field. In application, his research is designed to inform policy-makers, regional development agencies and the practicing entrepreneur with respect to creating and managing the resources necessary to foster and develop innovation and entrepreneurship in response to the strategic challenges of economic change.


Email: allan.oconnor@adelaide.edu.au

Classes will be held in room 5.01 on Level 5, Nexus 10 Building.

Every Thursday from 1pm to 4pm during Trimester 3.

1	Demonstrate the nature and purpose of innovation and entrepreneurship research and its relationship to innovation or entrepreneurship practice.
2	Apply literature search techniques and research design skills to support a chosen area of enquiry.
3	Conduct research data collection to academic, ethical standards.
4	Construct a minor thesis that produces evidence of an integrated and self-directed research learning experience, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the research process.
5	Apply effective communication skills in the development and presentation of research papers, reports, and plans.

Text book:
No text required

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A set of articles will be provided on the MyUni site to assist students with the content and conduct of this course. Students are required to expand their search and reading by sourcing their own articles etc because this course is aimed at doing independent self-driven research.

Entrepreneurship and Research
1. Bygrave, William c2007, 'The entrepreneurship paradigm (I) revisited' in Ulhøi, John P. & Neergaard, Helle (eds.), Handbook of qualitative research methods in entrepreneurship, Edward Elgar, Northampton, MA, pp. 17-48.

2. Davidsson, Per 2002, What entrepreneurship research can do for business and policy practice, International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 5-24.

3. Alvarez, Sharon A. & Barney, Jay B. 2006, 'Can organizing a firm create new economic value?' in Cooper, Arnold C. (ed.), Entrepreneurial strategies: new technologies in emerging markets, Blackwell Pub., Malden, MA, pp. 11-25.

4. Hall, J.K., Daneke, G.A. & Lenox, M.J. 2010, 'Sustainable development and entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future directions', Journal of Business Venturing, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 439-448.

5. Isenberg, Daniel J. 2010, How to start an entrepreneurial revolution, Harvard Business Review, vol. 88, no. 6, pp. 40-50.

6. Short, Jeremy C., Moss, Todd W. & Lumpkin, G. T. 2009, Research in social entrepreneurship: past contributions and future opportunities, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 161-194.

7. Sarasvathy, Saras D. 2001, Causation and effectuation: toward a theoretical shift from economic inevitability to entrepreneurial contingency, Academy of Management Review, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 243-263.

8. Zott, Christopher, Amit, Raphael & Massa, Lorenzo 2011, The business model: recent developments and future research, Journal of Management, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 1019-1042.


Research Methods and Practice
1. Leedy, Paul D. & Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. 2001, 'Planning your research design' in Leedy, Paul D. & Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis, Practical research: planning and design, 7th ed., Merrill Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., pp. 91-106, 107-121.

2. Johnson, R. Burke & Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J. 2004, Mixed methods research: a research paradigm whose time has come, Educational Researcher, vol. 33, no. 7, pp. 14-26.

3. Knight, Peter 2002, 'Research at a distance' in Knight, Peter, Small-scale research: pragmatic inquiry in social science and the caring professions, SAGE, London, pp. 80-113.

4. Neuman, William Lawrence c2003, 'The meanings of methodology' in Neuman, William Lawrence, Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches, 5th ed., Allyn and Bacon, Boston, pp. 63-88.

5. Sharp, John A. & Howard, Keith c1996, 'Literature searching' in Sharp, John A. & Howard, Keith, The management of a student research project, 2nd ed., Gower, Aldershot, Hampshire, England, pp. 72-102.

6. Diamantopoulos, A. & Schlegelmich, B. B. c2000, 'It's all over...or is it?' in Diamantopoulos, Adamantios & Schlegelmilch, Bodo B., Taking the fear out of data analysis: a step-by-step approach, Business Press, Thomson Learning, London, pp. 219-225.

7. Veal, Anthony James 2005, 'Questionnaire surveys' in Veal, Anthony James & Ticehurst, G. W., Business research methods: a managerial approach, 2nd ed., Pearson Addison Wesley, South Melbourne, Vic., pp. 142-168.

A worthwhile reference text (sourcing and purchasing is optional) that discusses various emerging viewpoints on entrepreneurship theory and its practice is:

Welsch, Harold (2004) Entrepreneurship: The Way Ahead, Routledge, New York.

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Library Resources
The University of Adelaide’s Barr Smith Library provides a range of learning resources including texts, journals, periodicals, magazines, and access to online databases and information services. It also offers a virtual library which is accessible via the University’s website. The University Library web page is: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/ 
From this link, you are able to access the Library's electronic resources.

MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. It is used to support traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops at the University. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments for each online course of study (see: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)

This course is a self-directed learning course supervised by your teaching staff. Support is provided both on-campus and online.

As a guide, a 3 unit course comprises a total of 156 hours work (this includes face-to-face contact, any online components, and self
directed study). You can expect to commit 312 hours to this 6 unit course.

This is a draft schedule and session dates are a guide only. The timetable may be changed during the course delivery if necessary.

Class	Content	Readings	Activities
1	Introduction	To be provided as required	Discussion

Research in Entrepreneurship is a self-directed study program that offers scope for candidates to pursue their own entrepreneurship related interest in three broadly defined areas, namely; innovation and the new enterprise creation process, the strategic management of entrepreneurship or innovation in the context of established organisations, communities or economic regions. The  research will be a theoretical/academic project that requires the collection, analysis and interpreatation of data that targets a specific topic or issue relevant to entrepreneurship and innovation. A candidate will complete the proposed topic submitted to the Course Lecturer for approval prior to commencement of any project work.

The Research in Entrepreneurship course is therefore designed for a candidate to pursue research into an area or topic related to their entrepreneurship career that holds personal interest or value. Substantial, rigorous and high quality research is required to give any candidate the best opportunity of success with a PhD application.

This course is designed to integrate much of the course work undertaken to date. The decision about what research to undertake is made by the candidate in consultation with the lecturer and/or supervisor. It is expected however that any research will have sufficient challenge and stretch to constitute 20-24 hours per week.

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Length	Weighting	Learning Outcome
1. Research Design Proposal	Individual	Week 4	Typically 1,000-1,500 words	5%	1 & 4
2. Minor Thesis	Individual	See ENTREP 7061B	Min 12,000 words	80%	1-4
3. Minor Thesis Oral Defence	Individual	See ENTREP 7061B	20 minutes plus 10 minutes Q&A	15%	5
			TOTAL	100%

NO ASSESSMENT ITEM CAN COMMENCE WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH YOUR LECTURER. ALL PROJECTS MUST BE NEGOTIATED AND AGREED WITH YOUR LECTURER PRIOR TO SUBMISSION.

Assessment 1: Research Design Proposal
Weighting: 5%
Due Dates: Week 4
Submission Details:
A hard copy version must be submitted to the lecturer and a soft copy online through MyUni

Task:
The report is a short summary (approx 8-15 pages long) of your proposed research topic and workplan for the two semesters. It should include:

1. A description of the research topic
2. A brief literature review
3. A description of the research to be conducted
4. A work-plan for the proposed research including timelines.

Assessment 2: Minor Thesis
Weighting: 80%
Due Dates: See ENTREP7061B
Submission Details:
A hard copy version must be submitted to the lecturer and a soft copy online through MyUni

Task:
The final deliverable is a detailed summary of the research work conducted as part of your project studies approximately 40-70 pages long. The minor thesis should be an ordered, critical and reasoned exposition of knowledge gained through the student’s efforts and include evidence of awareness of the literature. It should include:

1. A description of the research topic
2. A literature review
3. Detailed description of the methodology and analysis conducted.
4. A presentation of the research results and conclusions (including reasoning).
5. A detailed set of supporting references.

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
• The level of originality and insight, specifically demonstrating the relevance of the particular subject to entrepreneurship theory and practice.
• Demonstration of a comprehensive understanding of the issues, theories and shortcomings (where applicable) of the chosen subject area and clearly relating these to the broad and general practice of entrepreneurship.
• Clarity of expression and good use of language, correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, logical structure and sequence of presenting your findings.
• Evidence of wide reading, research, and of critical analysis of the issues and concepts.
• Use of resources, including proper acknowledgement and the appropriate use of references. (Use the Harvard referencing system. Guidelines can be found at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/referencing_guides/).

Assessment 3: Minor Thesis Oral Defence
Weighting: 15%
Due Dates:  See ENTREP 7061B
Submission Details:
20 minutes plus 10 minutes Q&A
Task:
You are required to present a professional defence of the research negotiated with your lecturer.

Submission of your minor thesis includes an oral presentation that is to be professionally presented to research examiners. Candidates are required to present and defend their research and should succinctly describe the major objective(s) of the presentation, any major assumptions and decisions relevant to the research, research method, analysis and major findings. This presentation will be no longer than 30 minutes and will include 10-15 minutes for discussion and questions.

Criteria by which your assessment will be marked:
The standards by which your final presentation contribution will be assessed will include:
• Style: Spelling and grammar on presentation slides (if applicable), fluency of expression
• Presentation structure: Logical sequence and flow
• Content: Relevance of material, coverage of key issues, depth/breadth of synthesis
• Development: Convincing argument and/or detailed comprehensiveness
• Clarity: Supporting evidence and/or data presented clearly and logically.
• Participation: Thoughtful, respectful, constructive and concise contribution during the questions, comments and discussion opportunities offered by your peers.

All text based assignments must be submitted via MyUni.
Please refer to step by step instructions: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/files/AssignmentStudentSubmission.pdf

There are a few points to note about the submission of assignments:

• Assignment Submission:  Assignments should not be emailed to the instructor; they must be lodged via the MyUni Course site (unless specified to do both). Note that assignments may be processed via TURNITIN, which is an online plagiarism prevention tool.
• Cover Sheet:  Please submit, separate to your assignment, the completed University of Adelaide Assessment Cover Sheet providing details of yourself and your team members (if applicable), your assignment, the course, date submitted, etc. as well as the declaration signed by you that this is your (your team’s) work.  Note that the declaration on any electronically submitted assignment will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed declaration.
• Backup Copy of Assignments:  You are advised to keep a copy of your assignments in case the submitted copy goes missing.  Please ensure that all assignment pages are numbered. If your assignment contains confidential information, you should discuss any concerns with the Course Lecturer prior to submission.
• Extensions of Time:  Any request for an extension of time for the submission of an assignment should be made well before the due date of the assignment to the Course Lecturer.  Normally, extensions will only be granted for a maximum of two weeks from the original assignment submission date.  Extensions will only be granted in cases of genuine extenuating circumstances and proof, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required.
• Failure to submit: Failure to submit an assignment on time or by the agreed extension deadline may result in penalties and may incur a fail grade.  Note that a late penalty of 5% of the total available marks for that assessment item will be incurred each day an assignment is handed in late (Unless otherwise stated in 'Assessment Related Requirements' or 'Assessment Detail' above).  Assignments handed in after 14 days from the due submission date will fail even if a 100% mark is granted for the work.

Resubmission & Remarking
Resubmission of an assignment for remarking after reworking it to obtain a better mark will not normally be accepted.  Approval for resubmission will only be granted on medical or compassionate grounds.