Developing Theoretical Insights in Entrepreneurship Research

39 Pages Posted: 15 Apr 2022 Last revised: 15 Nov 2023

See all articles by Shaker A. Zahra

Shaker A. Zahra

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management

Yong Li

University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Rajshree Agarwal

University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

Jay B. Barney

University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business

Gary Dushnitsky

London Business School; University of Pennsylvania - Management Department

Melissa Graebner

University of Texas at Austin - Red McCombs School of Business

Peter G. Klein

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business; Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Strategy and Management; Ludwig von Mises Institute

Saras D. Sarasvathy

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Date Written: August 22, 2022

Abstract

As the study of entrepreneurship advances, our appreciation for the role of theory in the development of the field has grown. In this paper, we build on our collective experiences to offer a peek into the inner workings of entrepreneurship theorizing, using specific examples to highlight ways of developing theoretical insights for advancing entrepreneurship research. Our journeys suggest an iterative process centered on asking an important and interesting question, challenging prevailing assumptions, understanding context and phenomenon, and developing conceptual models and analyses. We focus on the uniqueness of entrepreneurial phenomena, contexts, and actors as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, assumptions, theoretical contribution, immersion, theorizing at the intersection, theory building

JEL Classification: M13, M10, M1

Suggested Citation

Zahra, Shaker A. and Li, Yong and Agarwal, Rajshree and Barney, Jay B. and Dushnitsky, Gary and Graebner, Melissa and Klein, Peter G. and Sarasvathy, Saras D., Developing Theoretical Insights in Entrepreneurship Research (August 22, 2022). Darden Business School Working Paper No. 4075317, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4075317 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4075317

Shaker A. Zahra

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Carlson School of Management ( email )

19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

Yong Li (Contact Author)

University of Nevada, Las Vegas ( email )

4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
United States

University of Nevada, Las Vegas ( email )

4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
United States

Rajshree Agarwal

University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business ( email )

College Park, MD 20742-1815
United States

Jay B. Barney

University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business ( email )

1645 E Campus Center Dr
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9303
United States

Gary Dushnitsky

London Business School ( email )

Sussex Place
Regent's Park
London, London NW1 4SA
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.london.edu/gdushnitsky/index.html

University of Pennsylvania - Management Department ( email )

The Wharton School
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6370
United States

Melissa Graebner

University of Texas at Austin - Red McCombs School of Business ( email )

Austin, TX 78712
United States

Peter G. Klein

Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business ( email )

Waco, TX 76798
United States
254-710-4903 (Phone)

Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - Department of Strategy and Management ( email )

Breiviksveien 40
N-5045 Bergen
Norway

Ludwig von Mises Institute ( email )

Auburn, AL
United States

Saras D. Sarasvathy

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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