Scott Gordon

Research Interests

Business and Management Economic Development and Growth Entrepreneurship Innovation and Technology Management Organisation and Management Theory Small Business Management Sociological Methodology and Research Methods

Dr Scott Gordon

Lecturer, Entrepreneurship

School of Management

College of Business and Law

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Gordon is faculty at the Entrepreneurship Commercialisation & Innovation Centre (ECIC), Adelaide University. With diverse multi-disciplinary research experience across physical, biological and social sciences. He spent more than a decade as a practicing professional engineer with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) developing innovative technologies for underwater remote sensing.Since 2005 Scott has been actively engaged as an entrepreneurship scholar and academic. His interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy and his research explores new venture creation and development, behavioural and strategic dimensions of entrepreneurial action and mindset and the interactions between emerging organisations and their ecosystem.

Scott's current research interests include:

  • Nascent entrepreneurship: early start-up process (see video), entrepreneurial behaviour
  • Organisational emergence: organisation - ecosystem interactions, firm resourcing strategies
  • Entrepreneurial attitude: entrepreneurial mindset & opportunity attitude
  • Research methods: novel quantitative techniques for studying behaviors, processes & networks

Date Position Institution name
2015 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide
2012 - 2014 Research Fellow Queensland University of Technology
2006 - 2010 Senior Research Assistant Queensland University of Technology
2005 - 2006 Teaching & Research Assistant Griffith University
1993 - 2004 Electronics Engineer & Experimental Scientist Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2013 Research Award Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award Queensland University of Technology Australia 1000
2012 Research Award Best Empirical Paper using Quantitative Methods ACERE Conference Australia 1000
2009 Research Award Bygrave Award for Best Paper in Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice AGSE International Research Exchange Australia 1000
2006 Research Award Karingal Consultants Award for the Best Paper Authored by a Doctoral Student AGSE International Research Exchange New Zealand 1000

Date Institution name Country Title
Queensland University of Technology Australia PhD
Griffith University Australia MBA (Hons I)
University of South Australia Australia Grad Dip Eng (Electronic Systems)
University of Southern Queensland Australia BEng (Electrical)

Year Citation
2023 Alemayehu, B. Z., Steffens, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2023). The formation and role of religious social capital in driving entrepreneurial action. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 20, e00426-1-e00426-7.
DOI Scopus12
2018 Gruenhagen, J., Sawang, S., Gordon, S., & Davidsson, P. (2018). International experience, growth aspirations, and the internationalisation of new ventures. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 16(3), 421-440.
DOI Scopus22 WoS19
2016 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. (2016). Much Ado About Nothing? The Surprising Persistence of Nascent Entrepreneurs Through Macroeconomic Crisis. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 40(4), 915-941.
DOI Scopus176 WoS143
2012 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2012). Panel studies of new venture creation: a methods-focused review and suggestions for future research. Small Business Economics, 39(4), 853-876.
DOI Scopus192 WoS152
2007 Gordon, S. R. (2007). Interpersonal trust, vigilance and social networks roles in the process of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 4(5), 564-585.
DOI Scopus18

Year Citation
2011 Davidsson, P., Gordon, S. R., & Bergmann, H. (Eds.) (2011). Nascent entrepreneurship. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Year Citation
2023 Alemayehu, B., Steffens, P., & Gordon, S. (2023). EXTENDING OPPORTUNITY EVALUATION BEYOND COGNITION: SCALE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION. In Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings Vol. 2023. Academy of Management.
DOI
2020 Alemayehu, B., Steffens, P., & Gordon, S. (2020). Opportunity attitude: Advancing the conceptualisation entrepreneur’s perceptions of opportunity beyond cognition. In ACERE. Adelaide.
2019 Alemayehu, B., Steffens, P., & Gordon, S. (2019). First-person opportunity confidence model.. In ACERE.
2012 Gordon, S. R. (2012). A sequence analytic model of entrepreneurial discovery and exploitation process. In The Joint ACERE-DIANA International Entrepreneurship Conference (pp. 1-15). Freemantle, Western Australia.
2010 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2010). Panel studies of new venture creation : a review and suggestions for future research. In Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management Vol. 2010 (pp. 1-6). Montreal, Canada: Academy of Management.
DOI Scopus3

Year Citation
2020 Alemayehu, B. Z., Steffens, P., & Gordon, S. (2020). Opportunity Attitude: Moving Beyond Cognitive Evaluation of Entrepreneurial Opportunities. Poster session presented at the meeting of Academy of Management Proceedings. Academy of Management Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510.
2019 Gordon, S., Steffens, P., & Lomberg, C. (2019). Examining Grit as Catalyst in Accelerating Emerging Ventures. Poster session presented at the meeting of ACERE.
2018 Steffens, P., Gordon, S., & Lomberg, C. (2018). Just Do It: Action Orientation and Entrepreneurial Progress and Persistence. Poster session presented at the meeting of Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research 2018 (Vol. 38) – Chapter IV – The Entrepreneur and Characteristics – Interactive Papers..
2014 Bakker, R. M., & Gordon, S. R. (2014). Stepping In and Stepping Out: Environmental and Behavioral Influences on the Timing of Entrepreneurial Entry and Exit. Poster session presented at the meeting of Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference. London, Ontario, Canada.
2014 Gordon, S. R. (2014). Empirical Dimensions of Entrepreneurial Dynamics: A Review of Research on the
Venture Creation Process. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research Exchange. Sydney, Australia.
2013 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2013). The emergence of organisational properties: Evidence from pre-operational
businesses. Poster session presented at the meeting of Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference. Lyon, France.
2012 Gordon, S. R. (2012). Just do it: action’s central role in venture creation. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings, The 2012 Joint ACERE-DIANA International Entrepreneurship Conference. Fremantle, Western Australia: ACERE.
2012 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2012). Much ado about nothing? The surprising persistence of nascent ventures through the global financial crisis. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Joint ACERE-DIANA International Entrepreneurship Conference. Freemantle, Western Australia.
2011 Gordon, S. R. (2011). Entrepreneurial discovery and exploitation processes : sequence or symbiosis?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research. Syracuse, NY: BABSON.
2010 Gordon, S. R. (2010). The importance of gestation process dynamics. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference.
2009 Gordon, S. R., Davidsson, P., & Steffens, P. R. (2009). Novice vs habitual entrepreneurship: differences in motivations, actions and expectations. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of the 6th International AGSE Entrepreneurship Research Exchange. Adelaide, SA: Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology.
2009 Senyard, J. M., Davidsson, P., Gordon, S. R., & Steffens, P. R. (2009). The comprehensive Australian Study of Entrepreneurial Emergence (CAUSEE) high potential nascent entrepreneurs: some preliminary findings. Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of the 6th International AGSE Entrepreneurship Research Exchange. Adelaide, SA: Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology.
2009 Gordon, S. R., & Steffens, P. R. (2009). Why, how, what for? : motivations, actions and expectations in habitual entrepreneurship. Poster session presented at the meeting of Unknown Conference.
2008 Davidsson, P., Steffens, P. R., & Gordon, S. R. (2008). Introduction to Australian Study of Entrepreneurship Emergence (CAUSEE). Poster session presented at the meeting of Proceedings of the 5th International AGSE Entrepreneurship Research Exchange. Melbourne, Vic: Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology.
2007 Gordon, S. R., & Fitzsimmons, J. R. (2007). Knowledge, Motivation and Entrepreneurial Opportunities: An Experimental Investigation using Functional Measurement. Poster session presented at the meeting of Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference (BCERC). Babson College.

Year Citation
2023 Alemayehu, B., Steffens, P., Gordon, S., & Santos, E. (2023). SA Innovation District (SAID) Survey 2022 Report.
2021 Graves, C., Steffens, P., Villios, S., Giancaspro, M., & Gordon, S. (2021). An Investigation into the Performance of the MSME Sector in South Australia and the Utility of Government Programs Aimed at Supporting the Sector. Adelaide.
2015 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2015). ACE research vignette 038 : cracking the start-up code : does it matter when you do what?. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2013). Capturing gazelles : features of high potential firms & new venture growth. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2013). Identifying important success factors in new venture creation. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2013). Illustrating outcomes for Australian nascent and young firm entrepreneurial activity. Queensalnd University of Technology.
2013 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2013). Innovation and change in new ventures. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2013). New venture internationalisation. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Gordon, S. R., & Davidsson, P. (2013). Unpacking the venture creation process. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Gordon, S. R., Davidsson, P., & Senyard, J. M. (2013). What it means to be green : an examination of early stage environmental and sustainability focused firms. Queensland University of Technology.
2013 Davidsson, P., & Gordon, S. R. (2013). A portrayal of new entrants into the Australian economy (Entrepreneurial individuals and ventures). Queensland University of Technology.
2012 Davidsson, P., Gordon, S., & Steffens, P. (2012). Early stage start-ups : evidence from the Comprehensive Australian Study of Entrepreneurial Emergence (CAUSEE): Australian Small Business : Key Statistics and Analysis [2012 ed.] (1). Commonwealth of Australia.
2011 Steffens, P. R., Davidsson, P., Gordon, S. R., James, N., Senyard, J. M., & Stuetzer, M. (2011). ACE research briefing paper 004 : emerging and young high potential start-ups. Queensland University of Technology.
2009 Davidsson, P., Steffens, P. R., Gordon, S. R., Garonne, C., & Senyard, J. M. (2009). Business creation processes in Australia : what start-up attempts get up and running, and why? - A preliminary assessment. Queensland University of Technology.
2008 Davidsson, P., Steffens, P. R., Gordon, S. R., & Senyard, J. M. (2008). Characteristics of high-potential start-ups: some early observations from the CAUSEE project. Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research.
2008 Davidsson, P., Steffens, P. R., Gordon, S. R., & Reynolds, P. (2008). ACE research briefing paper 006 : anatomy of new business activity in Australia: some early observations from the CAUSEE project. Queensland University of Technology.

Year Citation
2012 Gordon, S. R. (2012). Dimensions of the venture creation process : amount, dynamics, and sequences of action in nascent entrepreneurship. (PhD Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, QUT Business School).

Steffens, P. & Gordon, S.R. (2022-23) South Australian Business Longitudinal Analytic Data Environment and Innovation Districts Survey. Cat 2: SA Department of Premier & Cabinet $200000

Giancaspro, M., Villios, S., Graves, C., Steffens, P. & Gordon, S. (2021-22) An Investigation into How Crisis Events Affect Small Business and Family Enterprises and which Factors (Internal and External) Stem Decline, Help Recovery and Promote the Development of Resilience. Cat 2: Department of Treasury, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman $18000

Graves, C., Steffens, P., Villios, S., Giancaspro, M. & Gordon, S. (2021) An Investigation into the Performance of the MSME Sector in South Australia and the Utility of Government Programs Aimed at Supporting the Sector. Cat 2: SA Department of Premier & Cabinet, SA Department for Innovation and Skills $36000

Steffens, P. & Gordon, S.R. (2021) Consultation to address and carry out the co-development of an innovation precinct data frame. Cat 2: SA Department of Premier & Cabinet $10000

Steffens, P. & Gordon, S.R. (2019) High growth firms in South Australia: Efforts to extract greater insights and value from state held data sets. Cat 2: SA Department of Premier & Cabinet, SA Department for Innovation and Skills $15000

Gordon, S.R., Davidsson, P. Steffens, P. & Lau, A. (2013) Comprehensive Australian study of entrepreneurial emergence: Outcomes. Cat 2: Department of Industry $80000

Davidsson P., Gordon, S.R. & Steffens, P. (2012) Business Creation in Australia. Cat 2: Department of Industry $50000

My teaching interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy. I teach masters and undergraduate level courses across the following areas (current teaching in bold):

  • Navigating Commercialisation Pathways [Masters]
  • New Venture Creation [Masters]
  • Entrepreneurship Research in Practice [Masters]
  • Opportunity Assessment
  • Research Methods
  • Strategic Management

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Principal Supervisor Maintaining Motivation: The Role of a Grit and Serendipity in the Context of Nascent Entrepreneurship Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Thi Be Vy Thi Be Nguyen
2025 Principal Supervisor Maintaining Motivation: The Role of a Grit and Serendipity in the Context of Nascent Entrepreneurshi Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Thi Be Vy Thi Be Nguyen
2022 Principal Supervisor Understanding the nature of Acquired Optimism, its antecedents and its consequences on the Entrepreneurs in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jyoti Khisha
2022 Principal Supervisor Understanding the nature of Acquired Optimism, its antecedents and its consequences on the Entrepreneurs in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jyoti Khisha
2020 Co-Supervisor Influence of Entrepreneurs’ self-esteem on the temporal processes of post-venture emotional response, sense-making and venturing behaviour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Dinusha Costa
2020 Co-Supervisor Influence of Entrepreneurs self-esteem on the temporal processes of post-venture emotional response, sense-making and venturing behaviour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Dinusha Costa

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2018 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Opportunity Attitude – Extending Entrepreneurial Opportunity Evaluation Beyond Cognition Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Binyam Zewde Alemayehu

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2014 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Let’s go abroad! The impact of international potentials, entrepreneurial motivations and firm stages on new venture internationalisation Queensland University of Technology - Honours Full Time Jan Henreik

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2014 - ongoing Co-Chair Organizing Committee - Paper Development Workshop ACERE Conference Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2012 - ongoing Member Australia & New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Australia
2006 - ongoing Member Academy of Management United States
1992 - ongoing Member Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) -

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