Entrepreneurship is about to undergo a rigorous scrutiny in the Region. A ground-breaking research project has just been launched to study the region’s entrepreneurial culture. The study, situated at the Sobey School of Business under the direction of Dr. Ellen Farrell, maps the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It has already begun with the first wave of surveys starting this week.
Using complex network theory, the powerful analysis will map thousands of interactions amongst hundreds of actors to identify how knowledge and communication are fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
“If you get a copy of the survey, it is because you have been identified as an entrepreneur or a supporter of growing or innovating firms, or start-ups” said Dr. Farrell. “Please return it to us. Alternatively, anyone who thinks they should be a part of the survey can contact us to participate.”
Farrell, a researcher and professor of venture capital and entrepreneurship at the Sobey School of Business, says she expects the study to ultimately touch hundreds start-ups, growing and innovating entrepreneurs, agencies, financial firms, support groups, professional advisors, venture capital funds and business angels.
“Informed policy is the purpose of the survey” says Farrell. “Assessing the impact of the efforts being made by governments, support agencies and entrepreneurs is valuable knowledge. The entrepreneurial climate in the Region is an indicator of our level of innovation and that is the fuel that propels the Province.”
“The results of the survey will show how much of our activity is a result of a culture of entrepreneurs learning from one another and from other resources providers, and how willing we are to mobilize resources beyond our own geography,” commented the early-stage scholar.
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For further information:
Ellen Farrell, PhD
902 420 5693
