International conference on entrepreneurship at Wits

Keynote speaker, Professor Scott Shane

In order to discuss topics that are current and significant for entrepreneurial development as well as sustainable and equitable regional development, the conference aims to provide an effective channel of communication between decision-makers, researchers, practitioners and persons concerned with the latest research, scientific development and practice on entrepreneurial innovation.

“In today's fast-paced and competitive marketplace, qualities of entrepreneurial capability - creativity, competence, commitment, conviction and entrepreneurial self efficacy - are needed to enable sustainable entrepreneurship. The conference will undoubtedly offer attendees a valuable opportunity to network with potential partners, investors, mentors and trainers,” explains Dr Kerrin Myres, director of the CfE.

Keynote speakers

“People start businesses based on the myths we tell ourselves about entrepreneurship and then are hurt when confronted by reality,” says Prof Scott Shane, keynote speaker. “Investors believe these myths and invest money and they're disappointed when they don't hold true. Policymakers make policy based on these myths and then wonder why the economy isn't growing with all these entrepreneurs now in it.”

Professor Shane, the A Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western University, is the author of over 60 articles on entrepreneurship and innovation management and earlier this year, the Swedish Foundation awarded him the Global Entrepreneurship Research Reward for Small Business Research.

Even entrepreneurial educators seem to be prone to believing entrepreneurial myths. “There is growing awareness, that the education of entrepreneurs requires more than new venture creation in an era of very rapid change,” says Prof David Kirby also a keynote speaker at the conference. “We require a complete shift in the educational paradigm away from one that has been traditionally dominated by a left-brain approach to learning to one that embraces right-brain thinking skills.”

Professor Kirby is the Vodafone Chair of Business and founding Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Economics and Political Science at the British University in Egypt. In 2006, he received The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion in recognition of his pioneering research and teaching in the field. He is a former director of the UK Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and a former senior vice president and director of the International Council for Small Business.

“This conference is an opportunity to facilitate entrepreneurship discussion by bringing entrepreneurs, academia and policymakers together to debate and discuss entrepreneurial policies globally. Wits Business school is proud to be the engine of such an endeavour,” says acting executive director of Wits Business School, Prof Boris Urban.