Claudia Smith

Claudia has been part of the Gustavson School of Business for over 15 years. She recently earned her PhD in Entrepreneurship and combines this with many years of work experience to deliver research and teaching on the leading edge of theory and practice. Claudia leverages her own entrepreneurial background to help students build their entrepreneurial mindsets and reimagine their futures.

Claudia spent much of her career in the field of advertising working in client management roles with a number of advertising agencies across Canada. She worked with local, regional, national and international clients on close-to-the-ground and multi-million dollar campaigns. Claudia was responsible for overseeing all aspects of campaign development for large strategic clients, and for pitching new business. She sat at the executive and management tables at a number of ad agencies and was responsible for overseeing their operations and strategic direction. Her work was recognized through a number of industry awards.

Claudia has also held senior communications and corporate planning positions within BC’s provincial government. She was responsible for overseeing all of the communications activities for multiple Ministries, leading strategic planning, and launching major government initiatives. She was also actively engaged in issues and crisis management on behalf of her government clients. 

Through a depth of experience gained from helping large and small organizations succeed, Claudia endeavours to create impactful classroom experiences for her students, and research that meaningfully extends theory and helps entrepreneurs. She is actively involved as a member of the editorial board for the International Small Business Journal. She is passionate about developing entrepreneurial minds and exploring entrepreneurial mindsets.

Journal Publication

Ferguson S.L., Smith C. G. & Kietzmann J. (Forthcoming), Hands off?! Lessons from high-touch professionals about going virtual, Business Horizons.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2021.03.002.

Smith, C. G., & Smith, J.B. (2021) Founders' Uses of Digital Networks for Resource Acquisition: Extending Network Theory Online. Journal of Business Research, 125, 466-482. 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.032

Shneor, R., Smith, J. B., Smith C. G., & Michael Goedecke, J. F. (2020). The Differential Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on the Entrepreneurial Intentions of Segments of Students. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2515127420936240  

Smith, C. G., Smith, J. B., & Shaw, E. (2017). Embracing Digital Networks: Entrepreneurs Social Capital Online. Journal of Business Venturing, 32(1), 18–34.

Presentation

Smith, C. G., & Smith, B. (2018, June). The Network Theory Implications of Founder Online Networking Behavior. BCERC "Babson" Entrepreneurship Conference. Ireland: Babson College.

Smith, C. G., Smith, B., & Shaw, E. (2015, November). Context and multiplicity: Implications of online for building entrepreneurial networks. ISBE: Internationalization, innovation, and leadership. Glasgow, Scotland: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Smith, C. G., & Shaw, E. (2015). Insights for an inconvenient truth: Social capital implications of today’s multiplexed entrepreneur. International Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference. Glasgow, Scotland.

Smith, C. G., & Smith, J. B. (2013, Summer). The impact of entrepreneurial social identity on the founder use of online social networks. Academy of Management Annual meeting. Orlando, USA.

Smith, C. G., Smith, B., & Shaw, E. (2012, June). Friends with benefits. The entrepreneurial use of social networks. BCERC "Babson" Entrepreneurship Conference. Fort Worth, Texas: Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference.

Smith, C. G., Smith, J. B., & Shaw, E. (2011, August). Entrepreneurial Identity and the use of social media. Academy of Management. San Antonio, USA.

Recognition & Awards

Courses Taught

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship (BCom) 
• Marketing Communications (BCom) 
• Marketing (BCom)
• Human Resource Development Canada Business Management Diploma (Executive Programs)
• Public Relations in Different Sectors

Kidovate Youth Entrepreneurship Program and https://kidovate.ca/

National Post, "When it comes to social networks, bigger isn't always better," June 2021.