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BSc MBS PhD(NUI Galway)Conor O'Kane portrait photograph

Room: OBS 715
Email conor.okane@otago.ac.nz
Google Scholar: Conor O' Kane 

Conor’s research examines strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial processes. His main research programme focuses on university-industry engagement, specifically academic entrepreneurs and university technology transfer offices in the commercialisation of science. Over eight years within the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge, Conor led longitudinal research projects that have contributed important insights on the functioning of science teams, in particular how they frame research agendas and engage with stakeholders during the innovation process. Along with international colleagues, Conor has pioneered research on the competitive behaviours, role identity and knowledge transfer of publicly funded principal investigators in science. Conor has also undertaken research on firm turnaround strategies, innovation capabilities and performance, and entrepreneurial behaviours within developing economies.

Conor is Head of Programme for Otago Business School’s Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and former Director of the Master of Entrepreneurship. Conor teaches strategic management, innovation and entrepreneurship to undergraduate, postgraduate and executive students.

Publications

O'Kane, C. (2018). Technology transfer executives' backwards integration: An examination of interactions between university technology transfer executives and principal investigators. Technovation, 76-77, 64-77. doi: 10.1016/j.technovation.2016.08.001 Journal - Research Article

Zhang, J. A., Edgar, F., Geare, A., & O'Kane, C. (2016). The interactive effects of entrepreneurial orientation and capability-based HRM on firm performance: The mediating role of innovation ambidexterity. Industrial Marketing Management, 59, 131-143. doi: 10.1016/j.indmarman.2016.02.018 Journal - Research Article

Cunningham, J. A., Mangematin, V., O'Kane, C., & O'Reilly, P. (2016). At the frontiers of scientific advancement: The factors that influence scientists to become or choose to become publicly funded principal investigators. Journal of Technology Transfer, 41, 778-797. doi: 10.1007/s10961-015-9400-4 Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, C., Mangematin, V., Geoghegan, W., & Fitzgerald, C. (2015). University technology transfer offices: The search for identity to build legitimacy. Research Policy, 44(2), 421-437. doi: 10.1016/j.respol.2014.08.003 Journal - Research Article

O'Kane, C., Cunningham, J., Mangematin, V., & O'Reilly, P. (2015). Underpinning strategic behaviours and posture of principal investigators in transition/uncertain environments. Long Range Planning, 48(3), 200-214. doi: 10.1016/j.lrp.2013.08.008 Journal - Research Article

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