Digitized Honors Theses (2002-2017)

Date of Award

8-2013

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Faculty Mentor

Marjorie Icenogle, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Ronald Eastburn, Ph.D., Donald Mosley, Ph.D.

Abstract

This research proposes a model of entrepreneurship that is centered on how entrepreneurs are using technological advances to create value in today's collaborative economy. Based on an in-depth analysis of contemporary entrepreneurial case studies we show that these entrepreneurs are advancing the collaborative economy, developing tools to connect individuals in ways unimaginable ten years ago and they have embraced common elements that provide the foundation for a new entrepreneurial methodology.

Three macro changes that are facilitating this new approach to entrepreneurship include (a) the democratization of communication, (b) the ubiquity of information, and (c) the externalized self. We will show that underlying these macro changes are the principles of creating, collaborating, and contributing, which provide the key elements of an entrepreneurial model for creating value and gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. These elements form a network around a central node of communication technology and establish a new entrepreneurial mindset that moves entrepreneurship beyond the boundaries of business into other realms such as: art, music, healthcare, politics, and education. The intent is to facilitate best-in-class collaborative and continuous innovation.

Comments

© 2013 Joel Ponce ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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