Differentiating Entrepreneurs from Small Business Owners: A Conceptualization
25 Jun 2013-Vol. 1, Iss: 4
TL;DR: The authors explored the literature of small business and entrepreneurship and established a conceptual framework for the differentiation of entrepreneurs from small business owners using the 1934 work of Schumpeter and recognizing the additions to the field of current writers.
Abstract: The literature of small business and entrepreneurship is explored. It is established that, although there is an overlap between entrepreneurial firms and small business firms, they are different entities. Using the 1934 work of Schumpeter and recognizing the additions to the field of current writers, a conceptual framework is established for the differentiation of entrepreneurs from small business owners. Keywords: entrepreneurial, Small business
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw on research on compassion and prosocial motivation to build a model of three mechanisms (integrative thinking, prosocial cost-benefit analysis, and commitment to alleviating others' suffering) that transform compassion into social entrepreneurship.
Abstract: Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a complex yet promising organizational form in which market-based methods are used to address seemingly intractable social issues, but its motivations remain undertheorized. Research asserts that compassion may supplement traditional self-oriented motivations in encouraging social entrepreneurship. We draw on research on compassion and prosocial motivation to build a model of three mechanisms (integrative thinking, prosocial cost-benefit analysis, and commitment to alleviating others' suffering) that transform compassion into social entrepreneurship, and we identify the institutional conditions under which they are most likely to do so. We conclude by discussing the model's contribution to and implications for the positive organizational scholarship literature, entrepreneurship literature, and social entrepreneurship literature.
767 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contrast a perspective that places an excessive focus on technology businesses and growth with a view of entrepreneurship that embraces its heterogeneity, and challenge a taken-for-grant approach.
Abstract: This essay contrasts a perspective that places an excessive focus on technology businesses and growth with a view of entrepreneurship that embraces its heterogeneity. We challenge a taken–for–grant...
377 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a multimethod study of product innovation processes in small manufacturing firms was conducted, which revealed that small firms do not deploy the formalized processes identified as best practice for the management of new product development in large firms.
312 citations
Cites background from "Differentiating Entrepreneurs from ..."
...Effectuation theory addresses entrepreneurial behaviour and therefore seems especially suitable for product innovation in small firms, which is a specific form of entrepreneurial behaviour (Carland et al. 1984; Schumpeter 1934)....
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...innovation in small firms, which is a specific form of entrepreneurial behaviour (Carland et al. 1984; Schumpeter 1934)....
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TL;DR: This article developed and empirically evaluated an institutional theory of gender inequalities in business start-up, ownership, and growth orientation, and argued that in contexts in which institution's gender inequalities were not explicitly considered, they could be seen as a form of sexism.
Abstract: This article develops and empirically evaluates an institutional theory of gender inequalities in business start-up, ownership, and growth orientation. I argue that in contexts in which institution...
272 citations
Cites background from "Differentiating Entrepreneurs from ..."
...…of gender inequality in entrepreneurship: it persists regardless of whether ‘‘entrepreneurship’’ is defined by organizational creation (Thornton, 1999; Aldrich and Ruef, 2006) or by an orientation toward economic growth, profit, and innovation (Schumpeter, 1961, Kanter, 1983; Carland et al., 1984)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the social conditions of entrepreneurs, as well as the social nature of opportunities, affect the entrepreneurial process and that it is conceptually useful to understand enterprise as socially situated.
Abstract: The social plays an important role in entrepreneurship, but one that is not well understood. We argue that the social conditions of entrepreneurs, as well as the social nature of opportunities, affect the entrepreneurial process. Hence it is conceptually useful to understand enterprise as socially situated. Accordingly, this article examines the enactment of a socialized opportunity to explore the process of entrepreneurial growth. We find that a conceptualization of social value creation usefully develops our understanding and challenges the view that economic growth is the only relevant outcome of entrepreneurship. Our case study shows how social value is created in multiple forms at different centres and on different levels: from individual self-realization over community development to broad societal impact. We also find complex interrelations between the different levels and centres, thus, we argue that entrepreneurship is as much a social as an economic phenomenon.
206 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw on research on compassion and prosocial motivation to build a model of three mechanisms (integrative thinking, prosocial cost-benefit analysis, and commitment to alleviating others' suffering) that transform compassion into social entrepreneurship.
Abstract: Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a complex yet promising organizational form in which market-based methods are used to address seemingly intractable social issues, but its motivations remain undertheorized. Research asserts that compassion may supplement traditional self-oriented motivations in encouraging social entrepreneurship. We draw on research on compassion and prosocial motivation to build a model of three mechanisms (integrative thinking, prosocial cost-benefit analysis, and commitment to alleviating others' suffering) that transform compassion into social entrepreneurship, and we identify the institutional conditions under which they are most likely to do so. We conclude by discussing the model's contribution to and implications for the positive organizational scholarship literature, entrepreneurship literature, and social entrepreneurship literature.
767 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contrast a perspective that places an excessive focus on technology businesses and growth with a view of entrepreneurship that embraces its heterogeneity, and challenge a taken-for-grant approach.
Abstract: This essay contrasts a perspective that places an excessive focus on technology businesses and growth with a view of entrepreneurship that embraces its heterogeneity. We challenge a taken–for–grant...
377 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a multimethod study of product innovation processes in small manufacturing firms was conducted, which revealed that small firms do not deploy the formalized processes identified as best practice for the management of new product development in large firms.
312 citations
TL;DR: This article developed and empirically evaluated an institutional theory of gender inequalities in business start-up, ownership, and growth orientation, and argued that in contexts in which institution's gender inequalities were not explicitly considered, they could be seen as a form of sexism.
Abstract: This article develops and empirically evaluates an institutional theory of gender inequalities in business start-up, ownership, and growth orientation. I argue that in contexts in which institution...
272 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the social conditions of entrepreneurs, as well as the social nature of opportunities, affect the entrepreneurial process and that it is conceptually useful to understand enterprise as socially situated.
Abstract: The social plays an important role in entrepreneurship, but one that is not well understood. We argue that the social conditions of entrepreneurs, as well as the social nature of opportunities, affect the entrepreneurial process. Hence it is conceptually useful to understand enterprise as socially situated. Accordingly, this article examines the enactment of a socialized opportunity to explore the process of entrepreneurial growth. We find that a conceptualization of social value creation usefully develops our understanding and challenges the view that economic growth is the only relevant outcome of entrepreneurship. Our case study shows how social value is created in multiple forms at different centres and on different levels: from individual self-realization over community development to broad societal impact. We also find complex interrelations between the different levels and centres, thus, we argue that entrepreneurship is as much a social as an economic phenomenon.
206 citations