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The central question in this thesis is whether patented inventions represent entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurial opportunities represent the entrepreneurial process whereby an opportunity is identified, evaluated and exploited. The influence of individual characteristics, organisational context and the wider institutional environment on the extent of opportunity identification, evaluation and exploitation is examined. This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first of its kind to explore the three stages simultaneously white also encompassing the role of the individual, organisation and institutional environment at each stage. The analysis is based on a primary dataset comprised of 350 inventor survey responses. The individuals surveyed include corporate, public sector (including academic) and independent inventors. The analysis employs a range of regression techniques to establish the impact of individual, organisational and institutional elements al each stage of the entrepreneurial process. The extent of opportunity identification, measured by the inventor's number of patent applications, primarily reflects differences at the level of the individual. Organisational context plays a more limited rote here. However, the role of the individual is less prominent at the .evaluation stage of the entrepreneurial process; contextual factors are more important here. This highlights the role for policy makers in shaping the evaluation of entrepreneurial opportunities which are a precursor to exploitation, as the results show. The fate of each patent is explored subsequently. Whether or not a patent is exploited primarily reflects the organisational context in which the inventor Is embedded, the impact of financial constraints and sources of finance. The mode of exploitation, however, reflects differences according to inventor characteristics, organisational context and the wider institutional environment. The empirical findings suggest a role for policy makers to revisit supports available to inventors to promote both entrepreneurship and innovation.

The study aimed to develop innovative and exploratory research strategies for harnessing the pupil voice amongst young people who have received the Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) label. As such the study sought to locate the pupil at the heart of the data collection and to examine how specific turning points can impact upon the educational experiences of young people labelled with BESD. The study attempted to move away from traditional research methods which have worked to silence the voices of this group of young people. In order to achieve this aim the researcher set out on a journey of discovery alongside the pupils to develop participatory and engaging methods of data collection. The study aimed to track the educational journeys experienced by young people who have received the BESD label. In addition to being a vehicle for the voice of the young person the thesis draws together the perspectives of the adults surrounding the pupil namely their parents and teachers. The results revealed the BESD label to be complex and difficult to operationalise. The current education system continues to remove these "challenging" pupils and this leads to them experiencing extremely chaotic educational journeys. The findings indicate that the current system is not working from the perspective of the pupil, parent or teacher. Encouragingly pupils were able to offer intelligent and insightful responses to the antecedents to BESD development. The study therefore advocates the importance of "hearing" the pupil voice. It is questionable however the extent to which the study achieved its aim of "true participation". This is due to the position occupied by young people both within society and the confines of their educational journey. The study critically reflects on the challenge of unleashing the pupil voice. It is hoped the findings will provide recommendations for educational professionals and research practitioners engaging and supporting this group of young people.