UC Entrepreneurship Research

UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research

Center research focuses on enhancing our understanding of entrepreneurial career choice, inclinations to launch new ventures, and practical suggestions to enhance firm survivability once launched.  In addition, past research focuses on increasing international opportunities in emerging markets and UC is one of the founding members of the Entrepreneurship Research Consortium (ERC) Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) dedicated to a longitudinal examination of new venture creation from nascency.  Recent research includes:

  • Schenkel, M. T., Matthews, C. H., & Ford, M. W. (forthcoming). "Making rational use of 'irrationality'? Exploring the role of need for cognitive closure in nascent entrepreneurial activity." Entrepreneurship & Regional Development.
  • Smith, B. R., Matthews, C. H., & Schenkel, M. T. (forthcoming). "Differences in Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Role of Tacitness and Codification in Opportunity Identification." Journal of Small Business Management.
  • Heriot, K., Cook, R., Matthews, C., & Simpson, L., 2007. "Creating Active and High-Impact Learning." Industry & Higher Education, December, 427-434.
  • Dalziel, T., Arthurs, J., & White, R., 2006.  "The Influence of TMT Human and Social Capital on Corporate Entrepreneurship: Why TMT Social Capital is Not Always Beneficial." Research Colloquium 2006: Strategic Entrepreneurship: The Role of Networking. Vrije, Amsterdam.
  • Stephens, P., Evans, J., & Matthews, C., 2005.  "The Importance and Implementation of Baldridge Practices for Small Business." Quality Management Journal, 12:3, pp.21-38.
  • Smith, B., Matthews, C., & Schenkel, M., 2005.  "The Search for and Discovery of Different Types of Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Effects of Tacitness and Codification." Frontiers in Entrepreneurship Research, Babson-Kauffman Entrepreneurship Conference, Wellesley, MA.
  • Ford, M., Evans, J., & Matthews C., 2004.  "Linking Self-Assessment to the External Environment: An Exploratory Study." International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 24:11, pp. 1175-1187.
  • Ford, M., Matthews, C., and Baucus, M., 2004.  “Strategic Cognitions of the Entrepreneur and Planning Formality in Nascent Firms: An Empirical Study.”  Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, New Orleans, August.
  • Matthews, C. & Schenkel, M., 2004.  “Recognizing Entrepreneurial Opportunity: The Need for Closure.”  Presented at the 2004 Babson Kauffman Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, June.
  • Lonier, T. & Matthews, C., 2004.  “Measuring the Impact of Social Networks on Entrepreneurial Success: The Master Mind Principle.”  Presented at the 2004 Babson Kauffman Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, June.

Outreach Activities
The Center's activities include: (1) a award winning faculty-guided, student-based field case study program which provides consulting services for local businesses (Small Business InstituteÒ Program), (2) the Young Entrepreneurs Seminar (YES), a day-long event for high school seniors to meet and exchange ideas with local entrepreneurs, (3) the UC MBA New Venture Competition (internal) and the UC Spirit of Enterprise MBA Business Plan Competition (invitational), (4) CEO Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, and (5) the Cecil Boatright Business Plan Case Competition for best Field Case of the Year.  In addition to the Center's activities, The UC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers six entrepreneurship and small business courses in the Communiversity Program.  The University is also affiliated with two local incubators, The Hamilton County Business Development Center and BioStart Technology Incubator.  Dr. Matthews is the co-founder of Cincinnati Creates Companies, an NSF funded technology entrepreneurship program.  Over 40 nascent technology ventures and 100 entrepreneurs have completed the program in its first four years.

Future Directions
The University of Cincinnati Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Research is actively engaged in continuing a collaborative effort with other colleges of the University, such as Engineering, Medicine, Law, and Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning in order to advance the role of technology and entrepreneurship across the campus. 

For More Information
Dr. Charles H. Matthews, Executive Director, UC Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Research, Carl H. Lindner Hall, College of Business, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH  45221-0165.  Phone: 513-556-7133; fax: 513-556-5499; email: ecenter@uc.edu; web site: www.ecenter.uc.edu. 

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