Articulating the GEMINI Model of Entrepreneurial Innovation in Canada By Sharon M. McIntyre A

378 Pages·2017·4.19 MB·English

Articulating the GEMINI Model of Entrepreneurial Innovation in Canada

By

Sharon M. McIntyre

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences
in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Royal Roads University
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Marilyn Taylor
June 2018

SHARON MCINTYRE, 2018
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COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The members of Sharon McIntyre’s Dissertation Committee certify that they have read the
dissertation titled Articulating the GEMINI Model of Entrepreneurial Innovation in Canada and
recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Social Sciences:

Dr. Ginger Grant [signature on file]
Kevin Swan, MS [signature on file]

Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission
of the final copy of the dissertation to Royal Roads University. The dissertation supervisor
confirms to have read this dissertation and recommends that it be accepted as fulfilling the
dissertation requirements:

Dr. Marilyn Taylor [signature on file]
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Creative Commons Statement

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5
Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-
sa/2.5/ca/.
Some material in this work is not being made available under the terms of this licence:
• Third-Party material that is being used under fair dealing or with permission.
• Any photographs where individuals are easily identifiable.
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Abstract
This research used a comparative case study methodology to closely examine an emergent
phenomenon in the field of entrepreneurship. The literature review examined interconnected
shifts in social values, evolving technology, and economic geography systems that have
contributed to this emergent phenomenon. The study sought to better understand the qualities,
goals, and perceived needs of a purposive sample of entrepreneur business founders in Canada,
as well as the drivers guiding the formation and characteristics of their advanced technology-
enabled organizations, to determine if a distinct model of entrepreneurial innovation existed. The
study results affirmed many aspects of the observed phenomenon and provided new details about
this distinctive model of entrepreneurship. Given the name GEMINI (an acronym meaning
global entrepreneurial micro-niche innovation), this model comprises independent-minded
founders with a keen sense of vocation who derive deep meaning from work-life integration,
collaborative business building, personal development, and community legacy. Their typically
bootstrapped, world-class organizations are formed through an iterative effectuation path to
business model refinement, resourceful product design, solid business performance metrics, and
a lasting impact on their international industries and communities. Although the stereotype of the
young, Silicon Valley–style, high-tech-startup founder and his fast-growth company is still a
prevailing discourse in media, political, business, and educational circles, the lived reality in this
new model of entrepreneurial innovation is distinctly different from almost all aspects of this
construct. Furthermore, public funds continue to be funnelled into a myriad of entrepreneurship
strategies and programs—often without significant or sustainable economic community impact.
Eighteen recommendations are made to reform related Canadian public policy, programs, and
funding to support the development of more GEMINI model founders and businesses.
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Keywords: entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial innovation, GEMINI model, startups,
effectuation, entrepreneurship education, Canada, place-based innovation, innovation,
entrepreneurial innovation, economic development, economic diversification, public policy,
policy reform, values
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Acknowledgements
As I write this acknowledgement, I think of one of my great-grandmothers, who could
not read or write and signed her name with an “X.” I also think of a grandmother who could not
pursue her desired studies in architecture because women were not allowed in the Canadian
university program. And I think of (and thank) the many women and men who have worked
tirelessly to make it possible for women to have the right to pursue a university education. I am
so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this doctoral program at Royal Roads
University; the program has propelled me along an extraordinary path of learning and personal
development.
I thank my remarkable supervisor, Dr. Marilyn Taylor, who changed the trajectory of my
life with her innovative methodologies course and went on to mentor, challenge, and encourage
me unfailingly through this process. I am also grateful to my committee members, Dr. Ginger
Grant and Kevin Swan, MS, who shared their unique knowledge and insightful questions in the
service of making my work better. I am also thankful to Royal Road University’s Tim Kituri, Dr.
Matthew Heinz, Dr. Bernard Schissel, Dr. Mary Bernard, Carole Sandhu, and Dr. Siomonn
Pulla, who all played important and helpful roles.
The support of very patient family and friends is the lifeblood of the doctoral journey. To
my father, who died before I could complete this degree, and for whom education was freedom, I
know you would be so proud and delighted. To my mother, who shared her knack for ingenuity
and handmade things from as far back as I can remember, you instilled in me an invaluable
appreciation of makers and their creations. Thanks also to my sister, who cheered me on and
joined me in a new entrepreneurial venture as this research took its course. And to my extended
family, colleagues, friends, and Royal Roads University cohort members who encouraged me
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and gave me space to hunker down as I incessantly read and wrote in my home office—I am
done!
And, finally, my heartfelt thanks to all the entrepreneurs who gave their precious time to
speak with me before, during, and after this study. I will be forever grateful for your generosity
of spirit in sharing the personal stories that inspired and informed this research. I hope my work
has contributed towards giving a collective voice to the meaningful and innovative work you and
your collaborators bring to the world each day through your unique business ventures.
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Table of Contents
Creative Commons Statement......................................................................................................... 3
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... 6
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 8
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... 12
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ 13
Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 19
Purpose of the Research ................................................................................................................ 19
Clarification of Terms ................................................................................................................... 23
Research Objectives and Questions .............................................................................................. 25
Context and Significance of Study ............................................................................................... 25
Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................ 41
Entrepreneurship and Innovation .................................................................................................. 44
Economic Geography Systems ..................................................................................................... 50
Changing Social Values ................................................................................................................ 63
Evolving Technology .................................................................................................................... 67
Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 70
Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................... 71
Research Approach ....................................................................................................................... 71
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................... 73
Positionality .................................................................................................................................. 73
Research Methods ......................................................................................................................... 76
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Research Design............................................................................................................................ 79
Research Sites ............................................................................................................................... 84
Study Participant Selection ........................................................................................................... 85
Study Participant Approach .......................................................................................................... 90
Data Types and Collection ............................................................................................................ 93
Possible Adaptations to Future Interview Guide .......................................................................... 97
Data Coding and Analysis .......................................................................................................... 102
Inclusion of Verbatim Interview Extracts in Body of Report ..................................................... 108
Ethics........................................................................................................................................... 109
Study Rigour and Trustworthiness.............................................................................................. 111
Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 112
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion .............................................................................................. 113
Overview of Findings ................................................................................................................. 113
Founder Characteristics (Research Question Results) ................................................................ 114
Organizational Formation (Research Subquestion 1 Operation and Development) ................... 128
Organizational Qualities (Research Subquestion 2 Operation and Development) ..................... 134
Intercase Content Analysis Results and Discussion ................................................................... 144
Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 227
Chapter 5: Recommendations and Conclusion ........................................................................... 228
Summary of Findings .................................................................................................................. 228
Connection to Literature ............................................................................................................. 229
Study Limitations and Delimitations .......................................................................................... 233
Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 235
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Implications and Dissemination .................................................................................................. 268
Future Research .......................................................................................................................... 269
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 271
References ................................................................................................................................... 275
Appendix A: Research Consent Form for Interviews ................................................................. 297
Appendix B: Interview Guide ..................................................................................................... 301
Appendix C: List of Roles and Photo ......................................................................................... 308
Appendix D: Entrepreneurship-Related Words and Phrases for Reactions................................ 309
Appendix E: Images to Prompt Discussion about Place ............................................................. 310
Appendix F: Principles (Values) Cards ...................................................................................... 310
Appendix G: Principles (Values) Word Choice Analysis Detail ................................................ 313
Appendix H: Telephone or Online Electronic Contact Guidelines ............................................ 315
Appendix I: Photograph Quotation Graphics ............................................................................. 318
Appendix J: Participant Interview Extracts Related to Entrepreneurial Effectuation ................ 321
Appendix K: Capital (Word Reaction Cluster) ........................................................................... 325
Appendix L: Sales (Word Reaction Cluster) .............................................................................. 329
Appendix M: Growth (Word Reaction Cluster) ......................................................................... 331
Appendix N: Bootstrap (Word Reaction Cluster) ....................................................................... 333
Appendix O: Government (Word Reaction Cluster) .................................................................. 337
Appendix P: Legal (Word Reaction Cluster) .............................................................................. 342
Appendix Q: Shipping (Word Reaction Cluster) ........................................................................ 344
Appendix R: Schools (Word Reaction Cluster) .......................................................................... 346
Appendix S: People (Word Reaction Cluster) ............................................................................ 349