Entrepreneurship as an Evolutionary Process: Research Progress and Challenges

Abstract

Recent advances in theory have emphasized a definition of entrepreneurship as an evolutionary process of selection and adaptation. By analyzing 307 empirical articles published in top entrepreneurship journals in the last five years, this paper identifies advances and challenges in three key areas: framing of research questions, data collection and structure, and the measurement of time and space related contexts. In terms of framing research questions, researchers tend to emphasize transitions and performance outcomes, particularly at the firm level. However, transitions from the general population to nascent entrepreneurs, as well as transitions from nascent entrepreneurs to new firms, are under explored. In terms of data, researchers rely too heavily on survey methods and cross-sectional data. Finally, researchers appear to be more comfortable measuring variations in environmental forces across space than across time. Because of major data collection efforts like the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, a potential exists for more sophisticated projects that follow an evolutionary approach to entrepreneurship.