Entrepreneurship and Intuition - Intent Conference

1. KeynoteaddressSharda Nandram, July 6th 2010 University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 1

2. How Do Spirituality and Entrepreneurship go Together?: The Role of Intuition University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 2

3. Parameters An inner essence in all of us, mostly hidden. It is full of potential. We all have an aspiration or purpose in life. Align the day to day activities - inner aspiration. Approach inner box – techniques spiritual wisdom. Spirituality is a state beyond the mind - indirectly. Science - the outer side of spirituality. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 3

4. Content 1. What is spirituality? 2. Where do the fields of spirituality and entrepreneurship meet? 3. What is the place of intuition in the literature on entrepreneurship? 4. What could be the epistemology on intuition as part of spirituality? 5. What is the potential role of intuition in entrepreneurship and education? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 4

5. 1. What is spirituality? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 5

6. I state that spirituality in my approach has -an external and internal aspects -it is non-denominational and -we can take a scientific perspective towards spirituality -both first and third person approach University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 6

7. Interest in Spirituality in Management Increase in complexity and sheer speed of modern life/ fragmentation. Desire to have the source of meaning in all areas of our lives. Corporate scandals, the economic, ethical crisis requires fundamental changes. Large number of Cultural creatives. Globalization and Dow Jones Dharma Index. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 7

8. Disciplines involved theistic view-existence of God, immortal soul. atheism-nonexistence of God, soul. In this view, matter is the only reality. agnosticism -question of whether or not God, exists cannot be answered. non-denominational view of spirituality–psychology, anthropology and business and management University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 8

9. Definition of Spirituality The outer spirituality- adapting the mind to spiritual concepts; our relationship to others and the world. Inner spirituality- reflects an inner, transformative process which involves transcending our habitual state of being, expanding the consciousness, becoming more subtle and ultimately connected and fully aligned to the indwelling Divine. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 9

10. Measures of spirituality in management Miller (2004): pro-social beliefs and importance of a Higher Being. Piedmont and Leach (2002): a belief in the unity and purpose of life; a feeling of joy and contentment that results from prayer and/or meditation and a sense of personal responsibility and connection to others. Ashmos and Duchon (2000) developed a measure with three dimensions of spirituality: conditions for community; meaning at work and inner life. Not coming from spiritual levels of consciousness University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 10

11. Entrepreneurs on spirituality Respect for others. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 11

12. Entrepreneurs on spirituality Fun at work based on a connection with your passion and alignment with the genetic code of an organization. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 12

13. Entrepreneurs on spirituality The cognitive dimension related to thinking about the meaning of life, and reflecting upon actions. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 13

14. Entrepreneurs on spirituality Acting decently according to ethical codes related to ethical behavior, openness towards others and voluntary work. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 14

15. Entrepreneurs on spirituality Considering consequences of actions related to relationships with others and environmental issues. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 15

16. Entrepreneurs on spirituality Consciousness and religious orientations are mentioned but less frequently. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 16

17. Working definition of spirituality- integrating Psychic process - finding the authentic Self (this is the inner, hidden Self) Mental process - a cognitive evaluation of the facilities and sources needed to fulfill the needs of the authentic Self. Vital process - bringing balance, a continuous connection between the authentic Self and the needs of the environment- balance at the workplace. Strategy or physical process - concrete steps in terms of behaviors and values to implement and align thought, word and action to the authentic Self. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 17

18. 2.Where do the fields of spirituality and entrepreneurship meet? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 18

19. Relevance of spirituality for entrepreneurship Role of creativity, imagination of opportunities, their intuition and reflection as the best source for decisions and successes. Businesses have a lot of ideas- lack of peace in the mind. Without that there is no focus Growth will be initiated based on opportunities But opportunities are like buses Good decision only come when the decision maker is focused. Entrepreneurs, through developing peace of mind, can play a sustainable role in society. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 19

20. Theoretical framing from Resource Based View Creation of value: spirituality creates value- impact on creativity, satisfaction, commitment. Rareness: spiritual practice requires time and yet it can create a competitive advantage- better in coping with stress, setbacks. Imperfectly imitable: spirituality is complex, comes from within, can’t be traced easily by others to imitate. Notsubstitutable: the unique ways and qualities it contributes to the entrepreneur and the venture are not substitutable. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 20

21. Theoretical framing from Resource Based View This view, if it stretches further to take into consideration evolutionary pull of consciousness or spiritual drive, as a resource opens up new dimensions for entrepreneurs and their company. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 21

22. Intangible aspect of entrepreneurship: Focus on intuition Two modes of thinking University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 22

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24. Applied to Entrepreneurship- abilities that are needed in the invention stage are: thinking about idea thinking about creating a new application for a technological discovery thinking about inventing a product or service to satisfy a need University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 24

25. Applied to Entrepreneurship- activities involved in the innovation stage: defining the demand planning on needed resources manufacturing and marketing plans making schemes on actions arrangements and operations defining the team needed and organizing and controlling the activities University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 25

26. 3. What is the place of intuition in the literature on entrepreneurship? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 26

27. Intuition in entrepreneurship research Olson 1985; Allinson, et al. 2000; Kickul et al. 2009; Ornstein 1977; Barbosa et al. 2004 Cognitive Style Index University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 27

28. 4. What could be the epistemology on intuition as part of spirituality? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 28

29. Epistemology on Intuition What is intuition?- process towards reaching consciousness by acquiring types of knowledge. How is intuition acquired? – reflection and spiritual practices. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 29

30. Epistemology on Intuition What do people know about their intuition ?- they often think about gut feelings, instinct, mind is limited to grasp the subjective state. How do we knowwhat we knowaboutintuition?- objectivescienceaboutmind and spiritual insightsabout the state beyond the mind. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 30

31. Sri Aurobindo: Type of knowledge 1 Indirect knowledge, mediated by senses, – information In ordinary science- third person approach, listening to others, objective experiments, surveys No role for intuition University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 31

32. Sri Aurobindo: Type of knowledge 2 Inner processes (emotions, desires, thoughts), direct knowledge, experience private and subjective Third person - interview or survey First person - objective introspection inner processes “my hands feel cold”- subject is observing This knowledge gives source to intuition as a flash of awareness - various fragments or ideas in the mind all of a sudden come together and take on a cohesive form University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 32

33. Sri Aurobindo: Type of knowledge 3 Experience inner processes and identification, feelings of happiness or anger- pre conscious and pre reflective First person approach, “today I am really happy”- person is the thought Experiential knowledge, learning by doing, training in skills This knowledge gives source of intuition from higher or transcended part of the mind University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 33

34. Sri Aurobindo: Type of knowledge 4 True knowledge, no separation between self and knowledge, beyond the mind Process of transformation Is a gradual process Not approachable in research This knowledge gives source of intuition in the form of divine intervention University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 34

35. Developing Intuition Listening to the voice within the heart Developing the intellect Silence the mind Descent the light from above University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 35

36. Research criteria (based on Harman 2008) Commonly used criteria for scientific research such as objectivity and replicability cannot be applied to intuition. Reflective models based on introspection, usually considered as not empirical. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 36

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38. The reflective model for intuition Experiences form the data: sharable, inter-subjective validity, in some sense repeatable Observation over a period of time Including phenomenological descriptions and seeking partial agreement Two meanings objectivity: unbiased data and external versus subjective data Interaction ‘out there’ with ‘mental processes’ Interaction between observer and observed Include all human experience University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 38

39. 5. What is the potential role of intuition in entrepreneurship and education? University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 39

40. There are two ways of bringing in the concept of intuition in entrepreneurship: as a coping style to manage the external stimuli. as a core training part so that it works as an internal resource in all entrepreneurial processes. Intuition is then a key competence in entrepreneurship for which students can get trained. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 40

41. Intuition can be helpful in the following situations: The entrepreneur needs to decide fast. The rules entrepreneurs face are ambiguous. There is a complex problem. The information that is available is incomplete. The situation asks for risky decisions. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 41

42. Teaching In coursework related to entrepreneurship one should pay attention to intuition. Educators and students should be aware of the role of intuition. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 42

43. The following steps can be taken in this process: Address this topic in courses by reflecting on the students own intuitive power. Ask students to explore this concept in existing businesses which may result in a case study. Ask entrepreneurs who acknowledge the role of intuition to share their view amongst students. Institutionalize and integrate practical tools to elicit intuitive power in every course related to entrepreneurship. University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 43

44. Conclusion Intuition is part of spiritual awareness An entrepreneur is like a channel - receiving information from 'beyond form' and then translating it into form (right and left brainside) Research in intuition – non ordinary approach In courses we should pay attention to intuitive power Intuitive power gives a comparative advantage/ a resource, fosters entrepreneurial spirit University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 44

45. Thanks to Margot Borden, research partner in France for editing my paper Mr. Vyas from India for his images You for your attention University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 45

46. H I M A model for Exploring Intuition University of Applied Sciences HAN - Dr. Sharda S. Nandram, Professor Entrepreneurship 46