Reichman University - Israel
Author Profile
SCOPUS
Summary
Prof. Dafna Kariv is a distinguished academic and global leader in entrepreneurship education and innovation. her early academic path, rooted in sociology, labor studies, and behavioral sciences, laid the groundwork for a dynamic career spanning israel, europe, and north america. she has held prestigious academic positions, notably at reichman university and hec montreal, and led major initiatives such as the novus entrepreneurship center. her research focuses on entrepreneurship ecosystems, gender dynamics in business, and educational innovation, with conceptual parallels to adaptive systems found in power electronics. prof. kariv has significantly influenced global entrepreneurship curricula, mentoring, and strategic development, contributing to both academic literature and practical innovation frameworks.
📘 Early academic pursuits
Prof. Dafna Kariv began her academic journey with a strong foundation in social sciences and education. she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and educational management from tel-aviv university in 1985, alongside a teaching certificate from the school of education. she pursued a master’s degree in labor studies at the same institution in 1988, which was instrumental in shaping her Entrepreneurship interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. her academic dedication culminated in a ph.d. in behavioral sciences from the technion – israel institute of technology in 1999, where she delved into complex systems in organizational behavior, a field conceptually intersecting with power electronics through dynamic system modeling and innovation ecosystems.
💼 Professional endeavors
Prof. Kariv’s professional career is marked by leadership in entrepreneurship education and academic administration. from 1999 to 2020, she served at colman, rishon lezion, where she held multiple pivotal roles including chair of the department of entrepreneurship and innovation, and vice president for global initiatives and development. since 2020, she has been the head of the entrepreneurship-business administration track at the adelson school of entrepreneurship, reichman university, herzliya. she is also an affiliate professor at hec montreal, canada, and holds visiting positions in Entrepreneurship esteemed institutions across europe and north america. her leadership has introduced strategic development models, some of which align with frameworks used in power electronics for system integration and scalability.
🧪 Contributions and research focus
Prof. Kariv's research bridges behavioral science, gender, entrepreneurship, and innovation. her work has explored female entrepreneurship, international entrepreneurial ecosystems, and entrepreneurial education frameworks. she has Entrepreneurship established herself as a key thought leader in building innovative incubator and accelerator models, notably as chair of novus at colman. her research often investigates adaptive systems, which bear conceptual similarity to feedback loops in power electronics—underscoring the dynamic behavior of entrepreneurship in diverse environments.
🌐 Impact and influence
Prof. Kariv’s influence spans continents, not only through her teaching at institutions such as mci innsbruck and fh wien in austria, and pula, croatia, but also through her collaborative roles with hec montreal. she has mentored countless students and professionals in building sustainable entrepreneurial ventures. her work on global entrepreneurship strategy has enhanced policy-making and institutional practices, echoing the precision and reliability sought in power electronics circuits when scaling entrepreneurial projects globally.
📚 Academic cites
Prof. Kariv’s scholarly contributions have been widely recognized, with numerous citations in top-tier journals on entrepreneurship, management, and innovation. her books and academic articles serve as core references in entrepreneurship courses worldwide. her extensive teaching engagements have further amplified her presence, positioning her as a central figure in entrepreneurial pedagogy and international education development.
🏆 Legacy and future contributions
Prof. Kariv continues to shape the future of entrepreneurship education through her academic programs and international collaborations. her future contributions are expected to include the development of cross-disciplinary curricula that integrate behavioral science with emerging technologies—potentially including smart systems and power electronics. her legacy is deeply rooted in nurturing innovation through inclusive, global, and interdisciplinary platforms that empower future generations of entrepreneurs.
Notable Publications
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Title: Fostering Entrepreneurial Intentions: Exploring the Interplay of Education and Endogenous Factors
Author(s): Dafna Kariv, Carlo Giglio, Vincenzo Corvello
Journal: International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 2025
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Title: Embedding the Marketing Angle into the Pursuit of Entrepreneurial Propensity: Roles of Perceived Feasibility and Desirability and Stakeholders' Support
Author(s): Dafna Kariv, Norris F. Krueger, Luis Cisneros, Gabriela Kashy-Rosenbaum
Journal: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 2025
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Title: Entrepreneurship in the Context of Permanent Crisis: The Role of Community Support
Author(s): David B. Audretsch, Dafna Kariv
Journal: Review of Managerial Science, 2025
Conclusion
Prof. Kariv’s career represents a unique fusion of academic rigor and practical entrepreneurship, empowering future leaders and transforming global education systems. her legacy lies in building inclusive, interdisciplinary platforms that connect behavioral science, education, and innovation—domains that, like power electronics, require precision, adaptability, and systemic thinking. her ongoing contributions continue to shape the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship with a visionary, international impact.