title: Entrepreneurial Action: Community and Buddhism contexts in Sri Lanka

authors: Dissanayake Mudiyanselage, Neelacksha
Srinath Wasala

subjects: Entrepreneurial action

abstract: Entrepreneurship research has long focused on singular views – the psychological traits, behaviour and opportunity approaches. These single-focus approaches limit the potential to understand entrepreneurship more fully and there are calls to move towards a more integrated view of entrepreneurship that includes context. This thesis supports a broader integration arguing that entrepreneurial action occurs through the interaction between community and religious contexts. This central argument embraces three notions. First, entrepreneurship involves a series of entrepreneurial actions. Second, entrepreneurial action interacts with the context, and third, entrepreneurial action requires agency.

The overarching research question for this study is: “How do community and Buddhism interact with entrepreneurial action?” Using the philosophical position of critical realism and the case study approach as the research strategy to theorise entrepreneurial action, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Buddhist entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

Findings revealed that the actions of an emergent venture flow through two discrete phases: pre-launch and post-launch. The entrepreneurial action themes that emerged in the pre-launch phase were entrepreneurial intention and resourcing, whereas, in this study, the post-launch phase extended beyond the venture to include community vitality. The two types of communities – family and social  interacted with entrepreneurs enabling and constraining their pre-launch actions. The interaction of the enabling and constraining roles of communities created tension for entrepreneurs when realising their venturing aspirations. Entrepreneurs’ religious background – that of Buddhism – guided them to eliminate the tensions imposed by communities. Discernment, right livelihood, and determination are considered the essential Buddhist tenets in this relationship. During the post-launch phase, communities were impacted by entrepreneurial actions. Making positive contributions to improve communities was an objective during the post-launch phase. This objective translated into different altruistic acts that improved community vitality. Serving communities offered excellent potential to improve the economic, social and natural environmental vitalities of those communities. These post-launch entrepreneurial actions were informed by the compassionate dimension of Buddhism.

These findings contribute to the entrepreneurial action literature by integrating the concepts involved within the intricacies of community and Buddhism contexts together to more fully inform entrepreneurial action. This study extends the understanding of entrepreneurial action by presenting it as process that incorporates a) pre- and post-launch actions, b) entrepreneurial action and context, c) the definition of community, d) the Buddhist tenets relevant to entrepreneurial actions, and e) entrepreneurial agency. Policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and community members can benefit from the findings of this study as it highlights the mechanisms of entrepreneurial action in a Buddhist context.

text: Entrepreneurial Action: Community and Buddhism contexts in Sri Lanka Entrepreneurship research has long focused on singular views – the psychological traits, behaviour and opportunity approaches. These single-focus approaches limit the potential to understand entrepreneurship more fully and there are calls to move towards a more integrated view of entrepreneurship that includes context. This thesis supports a broader integration arguing that entrepreneurial action occurs through the interaction between community and religious contexts. This central argument embraces three notions. First, entrepreneurship involves a series of entrepreneurial actions. Second, entrepreneurial action interacts with the context, and third, entrepreneurial action requires agency.

The overarching research question for this study is: “How do community and Buddhism interact with entrepreneurial action?” Using the philosophical position of critical realism and the case study approach as the research strategy to theorise entrepreneurial action, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Buddhist entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

Findings revealed that the actions of an emergent venture flow through two discrete phases: pre-launch and post-launch. The entrepreneurial action themes that emerged in the pre-launch phase were entrepreneurial intention and resourcing, whereas, in this study, the post-launch phase extended beyond the venture to include community vitality. The two types of communities – family and social  interacted with entrepreneurs enabling and constraining their pre-launch actions. The interaction of the enabling and constraining roles of communities created tension for entrepreneurs when realising their venturing aspirations. Entrepreneurs’ religious background – that of Buddhism – guided them to eliminate the tensions imposed by communities. Discernment, right livelihood, and determination are considered the essential Buddhist tenets in this relationship. During the post-launch phase, communities were impacted by entrepreneurial actions. Making positive contributions to improve communities was an objective during the post-launch phase. This objective translated into different altruistic acts that improved community vitality. Serving communities offered excellent potential to improve the economic, social and natural environmental vitalities of those communities. These post-launch entrepreneurial actions were informed by the compassionate dimension of Buddhism.

These findings contribute to the entrepreneurial action literature by integrating the concepts involved within the intricacies of community and Buddhism contexts together to more fully inform entrepreneurial action. This study extends the understanding of entrepreneurial action by presenting it as process that incorporates a) pre- and post-launch actions, b) entrepreneurial action and context, c) the definition of community, d) the Buddhist tenets relevant to entrepreneurial actions, and e) entrepreneurial agency. Policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and community members can benefit from the findings of this study as it highlights the mechanisms of entrepreneurial action in a Buddhist context.

year: 2021

title: Tensile Properties and Fracture Behaviour of Induction Sintered Ti and Ti-6Al-4V (wt %) Powder Compacts

authors: Raynova, Stiliana (Stella) Rousseva

subjects: Titanium alloys

abstract: Induction heating of powder compacts could be a very effective method for metal powder consolidation to get the final product or as an intermediate consolidation step to produce feedstock for metal powder forging or extrusion. Our study has proven that only a few minutes of induction heating, of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V (wt %) powder compacts, increases their density dramatically and causes a significant sintering effect, as evidenced by the formation of interparticle diffusion bonding and reflected by the tensile properties of the induction sintered powder compacts. This paper presents and discusses the results of a study on the tensile properties and fracture behaviour of the Ti and Ti-6Al-4V powder compacts sintered under a variety of induction heating conditions. Keywords: Titanium alloys, powder consolidation, powder compact sintering, induction heating.

text: Tensile Properties and Fracture Behaviour of Induction Sintered Ti and Ti-6Al-4V (wt %) Powder Compacts Induction heating of powder compacts could be a very effective method for metal powder consolidation to get the final product or as an intermediate consolidation step to produce feedstock for metal powder forging or extrusion. Our study has proven that only a few minutes of induction heating, of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V (wt %) powder compacts, increases their density dramatically and causes a significant sintering effect, as evidenced by the formation of interparticle diffusion bonding and reflected by the tensile properties of the induction sintered powder compacts. This paper presents and discusses the results of a study on the tensile properties and fracture behaviour of the Ti and Ti-6Al-4V powder compacts sintered under a variety of induction heating conditions. Keywords: Titanium alloys, powder consolidation, powder compact sintering, induction heating.

year: 2011

title: Māori & Psychology Research Unit Annual Report 2015

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

abstract: The Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) was established in August of 1997. The Unit acts as a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Māori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the School of Psychology, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the wider University and general community.

text: Māori & Psychology Research Unit Annual Report 2015 The Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) was established in August of 1997. The Unit acts as a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Māori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the School of Psychology, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the wider University and general community.

year: 2015