Developing theoretical insights in entrepreneurship research

Zahra, Shaker A., Li, Yong, Agarwal, Rajshree, Barney, Jay B., Dushnitsky, G, Graebner, Melissa E., Klein, Peter G. and Sarasvathy, Saras (2024) Developing theoretical insights in entrepreneurship research. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 18 (1). pp. 3-20. ISSN 1932-4391

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