Showing papers by "Copenhagen Business School published in 1988"

Properties of Emerging Organizations

Abstract: Using organization theory, the properties of emergingorganizations are explored, as well as the opportunities for further researchin this area. Understanding the properties that an organization possesses as itis created will aid in identifying a framework for determining whenorganization creation may occur. Previous research has often focused only onstructure or on process -- this framework attempts to integrate theseapproaches. McKelvey's definition of organization is used to identify theproperties of emerging organizations. These properties are intentionality,resources, boundaries, and exchange. They represent the minimum characteristicsnecessary for identifying the existence of an organization, and help to focuson the interactions of agents and the environment. These characteristics may not become visible at the same time. Consequently,choosing one particular property as the sampling variable can dramaticallyimpact the point at which newly created organizations are identified. The useof these four properties will impact the methods and theory in organizationtheory and entrepreneurship. The use of each property to identify nascentorganizations is illustrated, and examples of previous research utilizing theseproperties are provided. Focusing on the period when a preorganizationmoves to a new organization will help to better explain the concept ofemergence and the manner in which organizations come into existence.(SRD)

"Who is an Entrepreneur?" is the Wrong Question

Abstract: Despite researchers' attempts at defining the entrepreneur, no common definition exists. Much research in the field has focused on the person of the entrepreneur, searching for characteristics that make one so -- the approach that this analysis labels as the trait approach and deems unfruitful. A behavioral approach is offered as an alternative; this analysis suggests that, since entrepreneurship is the creation of organizations, the research should focus on what the entrepreneur does, and not on who the entrepreneur is. The two approaches are presented and contrasted. In the trait approach, the entrepreneur is assumed to be a particular personality type, a fixed state of being (once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur). The behavioral approach focuses primarily on the organization, and views the individual in terms of activities (behavior), or a role undertaken to enable the functioning of the organization. The flaws of the trait approach are presented through the example of the study by Carland, Hoy, and Boulton (1984), "Differentiating Entrepreneurs from Small Business Owners: A Conceptualization," which attempts to distinguish the two categories by identifying and defining their characteristics. The present analysis shifts the emphasis from the question "Who is an entrepreneur?" to broader, more contextual research questions such as: How do organizations come into existence?; What are the specific organization creation skills that an entrepreneur needs to know? How are these skills acquired? What is the political process (the strategies) that the intrapreneur undertakes to gain internal assistance? What are the features of successful business plans? Research on entrepreneurial behaviors should be based on field work similar to Mintzberg's study of managerial work (1973); entrepreneurs should be observed in the process of creating organizations, and the process of team formation should be studied. (AT)