Distrust in entrepreneurial networks
Project team
- Dr. Ann-Marie Nienaber (PI), Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK
- Dr. Rose Narooz (Co-PI) , Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK
- Dr. Eva Hofmann, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK
- Prof. Rosalind Searle, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK
- Prof. Nazli Wasti (PI), Department of Business Administration, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- Cansu Durukan, Department of Business Administration, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
Collaborators
- Dr. Semih Akcomak, Science and Technology Policy Studies, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- Dr. Peter Dirken, Innovate UK
- Ajay Desai, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, UK
- Dr. Stephen Dobson, Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE), Coventry University, UK
- Prof. Dr. Erkan Erdil, Science and Technology Policy Studies, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
- Paul Fairburn, Enterprise and Innovation Group, Coventry University, UK
- Alex Mauser, Enterprise Europe Network, UK
- Tolga Ozbolat, METU Technopark, Ankara, Turkey
- Konuralp Pirincci, METU Technopark, Ankara, Turkey
- Stephen Shorthouse, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd., UK
- Junior Prof. Dr. Nathalie Sick, Institute of Business Administration at the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Helmholtz Association, Münster, Germany
- Zimu Xu, Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE), Coventry University, UK
Project objectives
The Newton Institutional Link project between Coventry and METU (Turkey) Technology parks, funded by the British Council (NILCAT/BC) focuses on Turkish high-tech entrepreneurs with higher value added and internationalization prospects. We aim to develop toolkits for technology park managers, entrepreneurs, governmental agencies, and universities in building collaborative relationships for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) survival. Building on successful UK models such as Coventry University, larger Turkish technology parks can be reinforced as role models that will be replicated across Turkey.
Impact statement
(1) The experiences of this partnership will provide a contact point for further collaborations between the project partners on both sides, Coventry and METU, and provide feedback to future project initiations at the Turkish policy level. Future projects can be developed that are even more realistic, relevant, and institutionalized.
(2) Turkish and UK academics, particularly early career researchers, will have gained experience in international partnerships, running project activities, and turning their learning into publications, supporting their future careers in entrepreneurship and trust research.
(3) Turkish high-tech entrepreneurial SMEs who often come from a technical/engineering background will be equipped with managerial skills that help to enhance their ventures’ performance. Since most entrepreneurs are not able to “go it alone”, enhancing their awareness regarding collaborative work, both in terms of risks and benefits, is critical. The toolkit developed for trust building mechanisms allows collaborations effectively with “win-win” solutions.
(4) Turkish technology park partners will gain access to research bases in the UK which can pave the way for international research and consulting projects in the future. UK technology park partners will get access to Turkish technology parks for further joint collaborations.
