Research field 1: Entrepreneurial strategies
Background
There are a few examples of superstar startups, such as Google, that disrupted industries and are, to date, still dominating in their sectors. Yet, the vast majority of startups does, sooner or later, face fierce competition and has to be well-prepared to survive often unavoidable competitive battles. In other words, a smart entrepreneurial strategy is paramount (but too often forgotten) for the longterm development of startups.
Core themes
1. Why, when, and how can startups effectively protect their knowledge and resource bases?
2. Why, when, and how do startups prevail in a series of competitive attacks and counterattacks?
3. Why, when, and how can startups develop temporary and sustained competitive advantages?
Research field 2: Startup-incumbent relationships
Background
Startups never spawn in isolation. This is particularly true for startups created by ex-employees ('spin-outs') and startups created by established organizations ('spin-offs') as the nature of the relationship - before, during, and after spawning - between parent-and child-firms can have important implications for all parties involved. However, also independent startups can substantially benefit (and suffer) from relationships to established companies.
Core themes
1. Why, when, and how does the nature of the parent-child-firm relationship affect the development of the child firm?
2. Why, when, and how does the nature of the parent-child-firm relationship affect the development of the parent firm?
3. Why, when, and how do connections to established firms affect the development of independent startups?
Exemplary publications
Walter, S. G. Spin-outs’ Knowledge Legacies and Parent Hostility: A Competitive Dynamics View. Small Business Economics (forthcoming).
Walter, S. G., Walter, A., & Müller, D. (2015). Formalization, Communication Quality, and Opportunistic Behavior in R&D Alliances between Competitors. Journal of Product Innovation Management 32 (6), 954-970.
Walter, S. G., Heinrichs, S., & Walter, A. (2014). Parent Hostility and Spin-Out Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 35(13), 2031-2042.
Research field 3: Entrepreneurial ecosystems
Background
Entrepreneurship can be the answer to many economic, environmental, and societal problems. This is echoed in the great political interest in startups that has built up (at least) over the past 20 years. However, startups do not operate in isolation but are dependent on and part of a well-functioning 'entrepreneurial ecosystem'. Understanding such ecosystems and ways to effectively and efficiently support them is thus paramount in facilitating an 'entrepreneurial renaissance'.
Core themes
1. Why, when, and how do entrepreneurial ecosystems emerge?
2. Why, when, and how can we influence the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems? 3. Why, when, and how do external shocks, such as a global pandemic or a war, affect the dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems?
Exemplary publications
Walter, S. G. & Block, J. H. (2016). Outcomes of Entrepreneurship Education: An Institutional Perspective. Journal of Business Venturing 31 (2), 216-233.
Walter, S. G., Schmidt, A., & Walter, A. (2016). Patenting Rationales of Academic Entrepreneurs in Weak and Strong Organizational Regimes. Research Policy 45 (2), 533-545.
Walter, S. G., & Heinrichs, S. (2015). Who Becomes an Entrepreneur? A 30-Years-Review of Individual-Level Research. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development 22(2), 225-248.
Schmidt, A., Walter, S. G., & Walter, A. (2013). Radicalness of Technological Inventions and Young Venture Performance—The Role of Technological Competition and Product Diversity. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 60 (4), 728-738.
Walter, S. G., Parboteeah, K. P., & Walter, A. (2013). University Departments and Self-Employment Intentions of Business Students: A Cross-Level Analysis. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 37 (2), 175-200.
