A Paradigm of Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Management
Posted: 17 Nov 2009
Date Written: 1990
Abstract
Establishes the link between entrepreneurship and corporate management, in order to provide a context for corporate entrepreneurship. A review of entrepreneurship literature identifies several underlying themes that pertain to corporate entrepreneurship. The first theme is what happens when entrepreneurs act. Economics is used to explore this question. Two major contributions have resulted from the analysis in this area: (1) entrepreneurship is the function by which growth is achieved, and (2) there is a distinction between an entrepreneur and a manager. The second category is why entrepreneurs act. Through studies in psychology and sociology, the importance of the individual and the relevance of environmental variables have been highlighted. Finally, the question of how they act has been studied through the discipline of management. Using this previous research, the following is proposed as a definition of entrepreneurship: "a process by which individuals – either on their own or inside organizations – pursue opportunities without regard to the resources they currently control." Based on this definition, six propositions concerning corporate entrepreneurship are presented. Detection of the opportunity, willingness to pursue the opportunity, and the confidence and possibilities of succeeding are key components in the process of corporate entrepreneurship. (SRD)
Keywords: Corporate entrepreneurship, Firm management, Academic fields, Research opportunities
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