Researching Entrepreneurship (Book voor lecture 1, CH1 & 2)

Abstract

In this article, we have argued that the unique characteristics of the entrepreneurship process-that it is initiated by human volition, occurs at the level of the individual firm, involves a change of state and discontinuity, is a holistic, dynamic process that is both unique and involves numerous antecedent variables, and has outcomes that are extremely sensitive to the initial conditions of these variables-have substantial implications not only for theory building in the area, but also for the practice of researching entrepreneurship. More specifically, we have argued that all aspects of the research process-research design, data-gathering methods, measurement issues and techniques, and data analysis techniques-are affected by the unique characteristics of the entrepreneurship process. Within each of these four methodology areas, we then examined alternate approaches and techniques that might be used to research entrepreneurship issues. In addition, we also discussed the limitations that the traditional approaches to methodology in each of these four areas have when applied to the entrepreneurship field. We would hasten to add that we are not proposing that many traditional approaches to researching entrepreneurship will not continue to be used productively in the field in the future-they will be. What we are suggesting is that these traditional methods will be supplemented by other approaches that in many instances better fit the unique characteristics of the entrepreneurship process-some of which we have described in this article. We would further propose that, over the longer-term, such newer methods will make more fundamental and enduring contributions to the field than the traditional approaches have to date or probably will in the future. Consequently, it is imperative that we begin to incorporate such new methodologies into our future research in the field of entrepreneurship if we are to progress as far and as efficiently and effectively as possible.