Entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurship Disciplinary Area Group at the University of Auckland focuses on advancing research and practice to foster a more Inclusive Entrepreneurial Society. An Entrepreneurial Society highlights how entrepreneurship becomes a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and societal well-being.

The aim of an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Society is to encourage a wider range of actors and groups to pursue diverse entrepreneurial opportunities, with a focus on traditionally underrepresented populations, looking at the impact of entrepreneurial more holistically, also considering social impacts such as health and well-being, and environmental impact. We contribute to this vision by integrating research, teaching, and service to create conditions where entrepreneurship is embraced to solve problems.

Our research, teaching, and outreach activities cluster into five main themes:

This theme focuses on transforming entrepreneurship education through innovative learning methods and strategic initiatives. Building upon a strong foundation of research and best practise informed pedagogies and frameworks, and our long standing Innovation and Entrepreneurship (INNOVENT) major, our work extends and contextualises these principles to a focus on Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique perspectives on place and culture in entrepreneurship.

The use of Generative AI in education is a focal point, exploring whether these tools enhance or hinder entrepreneurial learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has also reshaped entrepreneurial education, prompting new strategies that have become part of the "new normal." In addition to academic innovations, hands-on initiatives like Velocity, where students engage in real-world entrepreneurship through competitions, and the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's wide range of courses, equip students with the skills to develop and entrepreneurial mindset and lead global ventures. Furthermore, programs like the Future17 Programme enable students to apply entrepreneurial thinking to address global sustainability challenges.

Peter Rachor, Michelle Kilkolly-Proffit, Deb Shepherd, Rod McNaughton

This theme focuses on advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Aotearoa, driven by impactful research areas including Entrepreneurship Education for Women, studying how higher education fosters entrepreneurial mindsets in women, and Entrepreneurial Finance, addressing barriers women face in funding, especially in angel and venture capital. Māori Women in Enterprise explores unique challenges for wāhine Māori, while Women SME Exporters and Women in Family Businesses highlight women’s contributions to New Zealand’s economy.

Other themes include Social Entrepreneurship, Business Exit and Failure, and Allyship, emphasizing gender equity, resilience, and the role of supportive allies. Collectively, our research aims to empower women entrepreneurs and shape inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Christine Woods, Janine Swail

Our commitment to inclusivity in entrepreneurship extends to fostering Māori entrepreneurship and developing inclusive business models. We examine how Māori values and structures, such as the Māori marae, contribute to entrepreneurial innovation that is culturally sustainable and inclusive. Indigenous entrepreneurship in Aotearoa New Zealand provides a unique lens through which to view innovation and inclusivity, challenging traditional entrepreneurial models.

Our efforts also address the broader challenge of decolonizing the business school by integrating indigenous knowledge into entrepreneurship education, promoting a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This includes embracing indigenous values in creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Kiri Dell, Jason Mika

Research in this area examines how competition shapes entrepreneurial innovation and performance. Studies explore how competitive familiarity among entrepreneurs fosters coordination and innovation, as well as how specialization impacts team performance and innovation dynamics, drawing evidence from unique contexts such as e-Sports.

The role of competitive density in shaping the growth of young ventures, is also a key focus, revealing how competition drives entrepreneurial success. Additionally, our research investigates how feedback from competitive environments advantages fast learners and how buyer-seller dynamics influence satisfaction and innovation. Collectively, this cluster aims to provide insights into how competition drives entrepreneurial innovation and growth, challenging traditional competitive models.

Kenny Ching

We build on the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship, which sees entrepreneurship as a major conduit for knowledge mobilization in society. Spillovers occur mainly in specially bound entrepreneurial ecosystems, yet they are becoming increasingly digital and borderless. They also accommodate a more diverse range of actors, such as global argonauts—entrepreneurs and international new ventures who span multiple contexts and operate across geographical boundaries.

Ecosystems foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across global networks, with digital platforms enhancing the flow of information and enabling faster innovation. The borderless nature of these ecosystems supports a broader spectrum of entrepreneurial activities, allowing knowledge to transfer more fluidly across different contexts and fostering sustainable, value-driven innovation.

Ben Fath, Antje Fiedler

This theme explores the intersection of social entrepreneurship, social innovation, and inclusive entrepreneurship, emphasizing the potential of these approaches to transform the economy into one that is more equitable and sustainable. We focus on how social enterprises, particularly those within the social and solidarity economy, contribute to both economic development and social equity.

By investigating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, we seek to understand how to foster innovation that addresses systemic inequalities and promotes sustainability. This work highlights the role of entrepreneurship as a tool for social change, where ventures are designed not only for profit but also to create positive social and environmental impacts, fostering a more inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial landscape.

Hanoku Bathula, Marissa Kaloga