Stephen Choo, PhD, GAICD

This paper seeks to provide a conceptual framework for the designing of an entrepreneurial mentoring program to effectively commercialise technological innovations. This research was undertaken by telephone interviews with key decision makers of five self-selected organisations worldwide that provided entrepreneurial mentoring to developing technological innovations. They included ATP Innovations, Cambridge University, Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation, The Indus… Show more

This paper seeks to provide a conceptual framework for the designing of an entrepreneurial mentoring program to effectively commercialise technological innovations. This research was undertaken by telephone interviews with key decision makers of five self-selected organisations worldwide that provided entrepreneurial mentoring to developing technological innovations. They included ATP Innovations, Cambridge University, Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation, The Indus Entrepreneurs and University of Waikato-Waikato Technology Park partnership. Following the qualitative data analysis, a conceptual framework is developed to provide a roadmap of an entrepreneurial mentoring program. This model is underpinned by four pillars of success namely (1) mentor quality, (2) organisational capabilities, (3) supporting services and (4) relationship management. In addition, mentoring organisations should undertake a series of activities that effectively support, motivate and develop technopreneurs in their path to commercialising their innovative products or services. Show less

Although international franchising has occurred in East Asia over the past 20 years, surprisingly very little academic research has been undertaken to understand key dynamics of this marketing phenomenon. This study aims to examine franchisee resources, which is a key construct in the internationalization of retail franchising. A multiple case study approach has been adopted to generate rich data designed to aid understanding of the complexities inherent within such an international marketing… Show more

Although international franchising has occurred in East Asia over the past 20 years, surprisingly very little academic research has been undertaken to understand key dynamics of this marketing phenomenon. This study aims to examine franchisee resources, which is a key construct in the internationalization of retail franchising. A multiple case study approach has been adopted to generate rich data designed to aid understanding of the complexities inherent within such an international marketing relationship. The data was drawn from five U.S. foodservice retail franchises, which are household brands across East Asia, operating in Singapore. This study presents several interesting findings for the retail franchise industry. First, consistent with resource scarcity theory, international franchising relationship begins with a high degree of franchise dependency on the local franchisees. Next, international franchisors will be well served to select their overseas franchisees with strong financial resources to engage in rapid expansion, good contacts to secure early stores in prime retail locations and well-proven local knowledge to modify the concept to suit particular market needs. Findings from this study have important managerial implications for international retail franchisors on how to effectively select franchisees to successfully launch and manage their brands in East Asia. Show less

A review of the literature on franchising has revealed a significant lack of academic research on employee training in franchise systems. Further, most research in this area tended to focus on training for franchises as part of the overall package. This study seeks to address this shortfall of research in this area by investigating the influence of training and development on an employee’s job satisfaction at one of Australia’s fastest growing franchises. This study collected data from 135… Show more

A review of the literature on franchising has revealed a significant lack of academic research on employee training in franchise systems. Further, most research in this area tended to focus on training for franchises as part of the overall package. This study seeks to address this shortfall of research in this area by investigating the influence of training and development on an employee’s job satisfaction at one of Australia’s fastest growing franchises. This study collected data from 135 frontline staff at one of Australia’s largest bakery retail franchises. The data was gathered by means of a structured questionnaire of which 16 items were devoted to an evaluation of the organisation’s training and development programmes and six items were dedicated to job satisfaction. There are several key findings for this study. First, the effectiveness and efficacy of a training program is dependent on evaluation on training quality, course design and learning experience. Next, employee satisfaction is found to be influenced by work environment, company values and job responsibilities. Findings from this study have important managerial implications for retail franchisors and individual franchisees on how to enhance the job satisfaction of employees by the provision of effective training and development programmes.
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Most academic research on entrepreneurship tended to focus on owner-managers of ongoing businesses. However, very little is known on entrepreneurial intentions, particularly why or how certain ventures were started. Using data from 145 retired military officers from the Singapore Armed Forces, this study identifies the key motivations and barriers to starting an entrepreneurial venture amongst mid-career individuals. Our findings suggest that would-be entrepreneurs are motivated to start a… Show more

Most academic research on entrepreneurship tended to focus on owner-managers of ongoing businesses. However, very little is known on entrepreneurial intentions, particularly why or how certain ventures were started. Using data from 145 retired military officers from the Singapore Armed Forces, this study identifies the key motivations and barriers to starting an entrepreneurial venture amongst mid-career individuals. Our findings suggest that would-be entrepreneurs are motivated to start a business by intrinsic rewards, autonomy/independence and extrinsic rewards. On the other hand, the barriers to starting a business for the non-starters are due to hard reality, a lack of capital, a lack of skills, compliant costs and a lack of confidence. Show less

Stephen Choo's Entrepreneurial Management text provides students with a comprehensive coverage of key topics in the study and experience of entrepreneurship. Aimed at a second or third year undergraduate course in Entrepreneurship.

The dramatic economic downturn in 2001 has somewhat shaken up the Singaporean government. It has exposed major structural weaknesses of an economy that has provided one of the world’s highest standards of living to its people over a short developmental history of almost 40 years. Until 2001, Singaporeans were living in an environment where it was taken for granted that there would be plentiful well-paying jobs in one of the many MNCs and GLCs in the country. This paper explores the key roles… Show more

The dramatic economic downturn in 2001 has somewhat shaken up the Singaporean government. It has exposed major structural weaknesses of an economy that has provided one of the world’s highest standards of living to its people over a short developmental history of almost 40 years. Until 2001, Singaporeans were living in an environment where it was taken for granted that there would be plentiful well-paying jobs in one of the many MNCs and GLCs in the country. This paper explores the key roles Singaporean government can play in developing an entrepreneurial culture in Singapore. Show less

This paper undertakes an exploratory study on determining capabilities of international franchising within East Asia. There is a need to develop a deeper understanding in franchising within East Asia as much of the franchising literature is based on the U.S. experience. Findings from this paper indicate that international franchisors use a combination of mechanism to prevent franchisee opportunism in East Asia. They include ex-ante bond, performance schedule and formal control in brand… Show more

This paper undertakes an exploratory study on determining capabilities of international franchising within East Asia. There is a need to develop a deeper understanding in franchising within East Asia as much of the franchising literature is based on the U.S. experience. Findings from this paper indicate that international franchisors use a combination of mechanism to prevent franchisee opportunism in East Asia. They include ex-ante bond, performance schedule and formal control in brand management. However, the effectiveness of these mechanism depend on the capabilities of the franchisor to negotiate a high initial franchise fee, select the right franchisee and make adaptation but still maintain the brand integrity. Show less

As companies globalize, they are finding many new opportunities in more and more markets around the world. Forward-thinking businesses are profiting from operating in markets that previously seemed closed or inaccessible. But as the company grows and diversifies, it becomes more important to understand the legal, cultural, and business landscape in each new target country or region. Entering new markets "blind" can result in legal problems and business setbacks.
International Franchising in… Show more

As companies globalize, they are finding many new opportunities in more and more markets around the world. Forward-thinking businesses are profiting from operating in markets that previously seemed closed or inaccessible. But as the company grows and diversifies, it becomes more important to understand the legal, cultural, and business landscape in each new target country or region. Entering new markets "blind" can result in legal problems and business setbacks.
International Franchising in Industrialized Markets: North America, the Pacific Rim and Other Countries is a book intended to help companies enter new markets with their eyes wide open and an invaluable resource for any company looking to expand into new markets. Show less

This paper investigates the purchase of industrial real estate by small to medium enterprises. Using a three-stage methodology, examined the views of a stakeholder panel. then drew a sample of 450 firms ranging from micro-businesses to large firms and examined the importance of various factors likely to influence the attractiveness of an industrial site. A focus group comprising members of an expert panel was then convened to discuss the findings. The findings highlights the subjective decision… Show more

This paper investigates the purchase of industrial real estate by small to medium enterprises. Using a three-stage methodology, examined the views of a stakeholder panel. then drew a sample of 450 firms ranging from micro-businesses to large firms and examined the importance of various factors likely to influence the attractiveness of an industrial site. A focus group comprising members of an expert panel was then convened to discuss the findings. The findings highlights the subjective decision making associated with the smaller firms in comparision with the "buying centre" objectivity of the larger firms. Owner-managers from micro and small firms were motivated by such personal issues as the proximity of the indusrial site to their home, rather than access to transport routes or freight terminals. The findings suggest that government and private sector agencies seeking to develop and market industrial land need to devote more time to understanding the needs of small firms. Show less

A firm’s performance in the host country to a great extent depends on its mode of market entry. Most research in the area of foreign market entry mode choice has concentrated on large firms or multi-national enterprises. This paper examines the effects of different foreign market entry modes on the performance of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Australia and Singapore. The data from a sample of 104 SMEs suggests that four market entry modes - licensing, manufacturing/wholly-owned… Show more

A firm’s performance in the host country to a great extent depends on its mode of market entry. Most research in the area of foreign market entry mode choice has concentrated on large firms or multi-national enterprises. This paper examines the effects of different foreign market entry modes on the performance of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Australia and Singapore. The data from a sample of 104 SMEs suggests that four market entry modes - licensing, manufacturing/wholly-owned subsidiary, franchising, and acquisition significantly impact performance. It was found that Singaporean firms were more likely to use these market entry modes than their Australian counterparts. This study also reveals that good performers tend to be relatively internationalised, in better control over their export channels, less dependent on industry information sources, and more concerned over loss of proprietary rights to knowledge. Implications of the findings for research and practice are also discussed. Show less

This report outlines findings from a qualitative survey of students from India who had decided to commence postgraduate science and technology studies abroad. It has been prepared for Australian Education International (AEI). It examines the relationship between student choice of country study destination and a range of influencing variables.

This report outlines findings from a study of prospective international students in the People's Republic of China. It explores the reasons why international students from China might choose to study in countries other than Australia. The study found that Chinese students separate the major English-language host countries into two distinct 'Tiers'. The First Tier consists of the United States and the United Kingdom. These two nations are associated with having educational institutions of high… Show more

This report outlines findings from a study of prospective international students in the People's Republic of China. It explores the reasons why international students from China might choose to study in countries other than Australia. The study found that Chinese students separate the major English-language host countries into two distinct 'Tiers'. The First Tier consists of the United States and the United Kingdom. These two nations are associated with having educational institutions of high international reputation and an overall perception of being 'better known'. Tier 1 host countries possess substantial alumni of former Chinese students who serve as a source of word of mouth referrals, which further assists enrolments. By comparison, Australia is ranked in the Second Tier along with Canada and New Zealand. Tier 2 host countries were viewed as offering attractive environments (safe and studious with good climates) and were perceived as less expensive than Tier 1 hosts. Show less

The opening up of the world's markets via new legislative, technological and management developments, has resulted in an increased focus on international trade and competitiveness (Garelli, 1994:13). These trends have been particularly felt in countries such as Australia and Singapore. Both economies are relatively open to the forces of international competition. As a result of these pressures, government policy in the two countries have focused upon encouraging international trade as a means… Show more

The opening up of the world's markets via new legislative, technological and management developments, has resulted in an increased focus on international trade and competitiveness (Garelli, 1994:13). These trends have been particularly felt in countries such as Australia and Singapore. Both economies are relatively open to the forces of international competition. As a result of these pressures, government policy in the two countries have focused upon encouraging international trade as a means of enhancing economic growth.
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