Borders of immersive fieldwork - a methodological critique of entrepreneurship

Abstract

Gerard McElwee's extensive research is characterised by his unconventional and yet strongly tangible topics in entrepreneurship, encompassing issues of illegality and criminality. In fact, beyond his published work, what has come up from discussions and interactions with him is his boundary-breaking approaches to the field itself, emphasising the collaborative nature of his research work. This contribution alludes to his unconventional and provocative approach to conducting research, crossing boundaries in qualitative research and extends his methodological critiques in entrepreneurship. We set out how the intentional crossing of borders in contrast to non-rigorous methodological mix-ups and empirical faults contributes to the actual innovation in knowledge accumulation and exploration of empirical fields. Giving some exemplary cases of our own empirical fieldworks, we illustrate the methodological, epistemological and systemic issues in entrepreneurship, and encourage more boundary-crossing and ‘breaking out’ of conventions - as entrepreneurs do to gain further market outreach - to enhance innovations in research as much as Ged has shown.