The Questions We Ask and the Questions We Care About: Reformulating Some Problems in Entrepreneurship Research

Posted: 8 Sep 2009

See all articles by Saras D. Sarasvathy

Saras D. Sarasvathy

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Date Written: 2004

Abstract

Both history of science and creativity research have shown that reformulating the questions we ask can lead to breakthroughs more often than trying harder to search for more rigorous answers. In such a spirit of creative play, I suggest we throw away our obsession with dividing the world into entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs and focus instead on categories within entrepreneurs. In particular, (a) those who want to become entrepreneurs but do not suggest compelling research questions about barriers to entrepreneurship; while, (b) those who do become entrepreneurs need to develop expertise, impelling our research to focus on the rubric of design.

Suggested Citation

Sarasvathy, Saras D., The Questions We Ask and the Questions We Care About: Reformulating Some Problems in Entrepreneurship Research (2004). Journal of Business Venturing, Vol. 19, No. 5, 2004, Batten Institute Research Paper No. 2004 S 1, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1441667

Saras D. Sarasvathy (Contact Author)

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 6550
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6550
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.effectuation.org

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