Resource accumulation for opportunity identification and exploitation by lead academic and non-academic entrepreneurs

摘要: Understanding the opportunity identification process represents a core entrepreneurship domain research focus. Many studies focusing on traditional firm performance outcomes neglect entrepreneurial human and social capital drivers that are linked to identification. Research Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) has explored different dynamics associated with formation of firms emanating from HEIs (e.g. perspective individual firm; by exploring support influence offered parent organisation; through analysis spinout process). The contribution entrepreneur in identifying an for commercialisation not been fully explored. This study looks at how academic entrepreneurs non-academic entrepreneurs, same industrial sector, identify opportunities accumulate resources during life-science geographical cluster Scotland. Entrepreneurship, studied perspective, identifies lead other team members use their accumulated experiences leverage resources. Resource-Based View (RBV), traditionally used examine link between firms’ internal characteristics competitive advantage, is extended explore behaviour Emerging themes extant literature external environment as potential resource pools which aid firms. Using process-based, case-study approach, were interviewed gather information about opportunities. A entrepreneur’s general capital, form educational achievement, was found be key factor shaping process. Further, specific scientific leveraged circumvent barriers. Social also facilitated scarce Lead narrower profiles selected munificent sponsored gain access additional However, dynamic, yet unreported empirical research, revealed data. Over time, encouraged exit environments enhance independence whilst industry generally sought physical Theory building ensued gathering data analysing comparison iterating existing theories.