This thesis explores the concept of entrepreneurship. It aims at answering the question: does the Austrian view provide a comprehensive framework for the analysis of entrepreneurship? For this purpose the problem is separated into three main objectives: to trace its development, to describe its foundations and to explain its principal features. In order to achieve these objectives, the study is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the historical origins of the Austrian School. Chapter 2 describes the uniqueness of the individual as the foundation of Austrian economic theory. Chapter 3 explains how individuals act in a society. Chapter 4 covers the idea of the market as a process. Chapter 5 analyzes the role of the entrepreneur. Finally chapter 6 presents some case studies from the IT industry. The thesis concludes that the Austrian school provides a fully comprehensive framework for the development of the concept of entrepreneurship. / Economics / M.A. (Economics)

This thesis explores the concept of entrepreneurship. It aims at answering the question: does the Austrian view provide a comprehensive framework for the analysis of entrepreneurship? For this purpose the problem is separated into three main objectives: to trace its development, to describe its foundations and to explain its principal features. In order to achieve these objectives, the study is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the historical origins of the Austrian School. Chapter 2 describes the uniqueness of the individual as the foundation of Austrian economic theory. Chapter 3 explains how individuals act in a society. Chapter 4 covers the idea of the market as a process. Chapter 5 analyzes the role of the entrepreneur. Finally chapter 6 presents some case studies from the IT industry. The thesis concludes that the Austrian school provides a fully comprehensive framework for the development of the concept of entrepreneurship. / Economics / M.A. (Economics)

The research conducted for this thesis had two broad aims. The first was to provide descriptive information about the use of computer-based information systems (CBIS) in regional small business. The second of the aims was to examine the relationships among key constructs identified from the literature and to explore how they contributed to predicting CBIS success in regional small business.In the second phase of the analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to examine the factorial constructs underlying the data. Constructs were identified that measured CEO characteristics, two measuring organisational characteristics, four measuring aspects of decision-making, and five measuring perceived CBIS success. Correlations among the constructs were examined prior to relationships among the constructs being explored using hierarchical regression analysis. The constructs were also examined in a single measurement model to determine their collective effect and relationships with the constructs measuring CBIS success based on structural equation modelling. Notwithstanding the limitations of the research, it resulted in the identification of relationships among key variables that predict CBIS success. The identification of items associated with decision-making processes, and the identification of the factorial constructs underlying the data is a major contribution to a portion of the literature that was non-existent. The final measurement model is also a significant contribution in identifying and specifying the relationships constructs measuring CEO characteristics, organisational characteristics, decision-making and CBIS success in regional small business. / Doctor of Philosphy (PhD)

In recent years, the Australian government has opened the Australian economy to the global marketplace through tariff reductions and the establishment of free trade agreements with other countries. The ability of the Australian economy to benefit from these agreements is dependent on Australian businesses identifying international opportunities and exploiting their competitive advantage in the international marketplace. However, the family business literature suggests that complexities unique to family firms limit their ability take advantage of such opportunities and grow internationally. To date, the limited empirical testing of such claims has produced conflicting results. As a consequence, little is known about the international behaviour of family firms, what influences such behaviour and what effect internationalisation has on the owning family and the business. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using a mixed research method design. Using the quantitative analysis of small - to - medium - sized family - owned enterprises ( SMFEs ) contained within the most recently available longitudinal database of Australian businesses and the qualitative analysis of eight SMFEs, the internationalisation process of SMFEs in the manufacturing sector was examined. The findings of this study suggest that, compared to their non - family counterparts, Australian SMFEs are less likely to venture into the international marketplace. Furthermore, those that do, do so to a lesser degree when compared to non - SMFEs. Although the internationalisation behaviour of most SMFEs was similar to that of traditional international firms, some exhibited ?born-again? global internationalisation behaviour as a result of critical events within the firm. These included succession to the next generation and the appointment of non - family managers with the requisite expertise. The internationalisation of SMFEs was dependent on their ability to configure their resources to create globally relevant capabilities, and their willingness to exploit those capabilities in the international marketplace. In addition to the family ' s commitment to internationalisation, the production capabilities, international network relationships and overcoming a ' production mindset ' to build the requisite managerial and marketing capabilities were all found to be critical to the international growth of SMFEs. An SMFE ' s financial and human resources were found to have a substantial influence over their ability to build the organisational capabilities and international network relationships required for internationalisation. Compared to solely focusing on the domestic marketplace, there were some financial benefits to be gained by SMFEs in venturing overseas. However the extent to which they did so had no observable effect on financial performance. Overall, the financial benefits gained from internationalisation were dependent on having a long - term commitment to, and possessing the managerial capabilities required for, internationalisation. The changes brought about by internationalisation improved the overall competitiveness of SMFEs, enabling them to successfully compete with their domestic and international competitors. However, internationalisation was found to place substantial strain on the family unit, particularly when the firm had limited managerial capabilities, and was often a trigger for conflict within the family and the business. The implications of this study ' s findings for SMFEs, policy and future research are explored in the thesis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide Graduate School of Business, 2006.