SPEAKER: Professor Stephen Zhang, University of Adelaide

TIME/DATE: 2024.12.2  13:30

CLASSROOM: A308

ABSTRACT

While entrepreneurship research has extensively studied venture creation and operations management has developed sophisticated models for established firms, we know surprisingly little about how entrepreneurial businesses operate. This talk introduces Strategic Entrepreneurial Operations as a new research area, identifying four fundamental aspects: (1) prioritizing learning and adaptation over efficiency, (2) direct founder involvement in operational decisions, (3) distinctive resource constraints including limited supplier legitimacy and human capital, and (4) stage-specific operational priorities – from early-stage rapid prototyping to growth-stage process development. These characteristics create rich research opportunities at the intersection of entrepreneurship and operations management, challenging traditional assumptions about operational optimization while offering new frameworks for understanding resource-constrained, learning-driven operations. The talk outlines specific research directions for investigating this crucial but understudied area.

GUEST BIO

Stephen Zhang is a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Adelaide. He studies how entrepreneurs and top management teams behave under uncertainties. Stephen has published articles in top journals in entrepreneurship (e.g. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice), management (e.g. Academy of Management Journal) as well as COVID-19 research in health journals. His work has been featured in major media outlets (e.g., Yahoo; MSN; HuffPost; the Age; Sydney Morning Herald). Stephen is the founding director of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship and Innovation Society (APEIS). Stephen has worked previously in University of Sydney, Catholic University of Chile, and National University of Singapore. Prior to his academic career, Stephen has worked in several industries and has founded startups. Stephen received his Bachelor Degree at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and his Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore. Prior to his academic career, Stephen has founded ventures and worked in several industries including engineering, management consultancy, market research, and innovation management.