Anders W Johansson

Narrating the Entrepreneur

Within the social sciences narrative approaches have become more popular. In recent years ithas also been suggested that entrepreneurship research would benefit from the use of a narrative approach. Interest in this direction is now emerging. The purpose of this article is to illustrate and reflect upon how narrative approaches can contribute to entrepreneurship research. The article is focused on three areas: (1) The construction of entrepreneurial identities, (2) Entrepreneurial learning, (3) (Re)conceptualizing entrepreneurship. It is argued that a narrativeapproach contributes to the literature by enriching the understanding of what motivates individual entrepreneurs and the way they run their businesses. Storytelling is closely related to entrepreneurial learning and complements other approaches. Furthermore, storytelling and story-making serve as potential metaphors for conceptualizing and reconceptualizing entrepreneurship.

Emancipation or Workability? Critical versus pragmatic scientific orientation in action research

In this article a distinction between a pragmatic and a critical orientation of action research is made. These orientations can be considered, implicitly or explicitly, to be the main alternatives in AR today. What are the assumptions behind, and practical implications for, AR projects with different orientations? A number of themes are introduced where a tension between the two are identified and illustrated in the form of a dialogue and friendly quarrel between proponents from each side. It is argued that the two orientations suit different research contexts and cannot easily be combined. The pragmatic orientation is well suited for contexts where concerted and immediate action is needed, whereas the critical is preferable where transformative action needs to be preceded by critical thinking and reflection. In the former, power to act is a desired outcome, and in the latter, unequal and invisible power relations need to be unveiled before they can be transformed. The responsibility of the researcher, as well as the form of knowledge developed, differs between the two orientations.

Public advisory services - theory and practice

Public advisory service to SMEs is a multibillion pound activity throughout the industrialized world. Yet very little research has been done on the theoretical basis for this field. This paper proposes some elements in a theoretical understanding of the rationale behind public measures. The authors argue that public intervention should be considered at two levels, as a public market intervention and as a consultant-client relation at the micro level. At the market intervention level, public advisory service is seen in the perspective of economic theory, comparing neo-classical and neo-Austrian theory. Two different kinds of services are identified and discussed: operational and strategic. At a micro level, the concepts of client identity and clientifying power relations serve to understand the small business managers way of responding to services. In combining both levels - the market perspective and the micro level - it is argued that the neo-classical theory is connected to operational/expert services and objectifying power technologies. The neo-Austrian theory corresponds with the empirical findings at the micro level showing strategic services embedded in a subjectifying power technology. With the neo-Austrian perspective the rather symmetrical relations between client and consultant at the micro level is comprehensible.

Constructions of entrepreneurship: a discourse analysis of academic publications

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to investigate opposing versions of entrepreneurship and to introduce a metaphor to stimulate a dialogue about the diversity and complexity ...

Entrepreneurship, discourses and conscientization in processes of regional development

This paper is based upon a regional development project in a ‘vulnerable’ Swedish region consisting of three municipalities. At a first glance, this is a region in decline that is lacking in entrepreneurial initiatives. During a crucial time period the project ‘Diversity in Entrepreneurship’ (DiE) was launched to help the region to become more entrepreneurial and inclusive. An underlying logic was built into the project, which is associated with the critical pedagogy of Paolo Freire. From a Freirean perspective regions lacking in entrepreneurship could be reconsidered emphasizing that the entrepreneurial initiatives are always there–latent–however restrained by certain discourses; in this case a dominant enterprise discourse. Above all the enterprise discourse suppresses the ability for particular groups in society to view themselves as entrepreneurs. The purpose of this paper is to introduce Freires critical pedagogical perspective to entrepreneurship and regional development. An episode illustrating how the enterprise discourse suppresses an equality discourse, introduced by way of the DiE-project, makes the point of departure for discussing the process of ‘conscientization’, which refers to a type of learning that is focused on perceiving and exposing contradictions and to take action against the oppressive elements of reality (Freire 1970). Some key Freirean ideas or concepts are explained, first as they were expressed by Freire and then applied to entrepreneurship and regional development. It is then discussed how these concepts found their expressions in the project. The critical pedagogic perspective not only emphasizes an entrepreneurial potential in every individual, but it also gives an idea of what kind of processes could release entrepreneurial initiatives among those who do not view themselves as entrepreneurs.

Regional Development by Means of Broadened Entrepreneurship

Today entrepreneurship does not constitute one grand narrative, rather it consists of a plurality of sub-discourses, some of them in sharp contrast to others. In academic texts as well as in practice, we find both dominant and broader meanings of entrepreneurship. It is discussed in this article how a dominant meaning of entrepreneurship historically can be associated with industrialization, large firms, hero entrepreneurs and ideas of “bürgerlichen Gesellschaft”. As we now live in a society where large manufacturing firms no longer dominate, broader conceptions of entrepreneurship emerges, allowing for the idea of an entrepreneurial potential of ordinary (wo)men. This article gives glimpses of how a broad entrepreneurship is enacted in a regional context. These glimpses illustrate the following. 1. Networks which give plenty of room for spontaneous interaction can mobilize entrepreneurial identities. 2. Individuals provide role models for how “Gesellschaft” can be resisted and balanced by “Gemeinschaft” in the society of today 3. The core of entrepreneurship does not need to be thought of in terms of an exclusive capacity for innovation but rather as something which is an outflow of ordinary life when not restricted by discourse. Adopting a broad view of entrepreneurship implies for policy-makers to encourage the mobilization of entrepreneurship instead of trying to “pick the winners”.

Walking a tightrope between artistry and entrepreneurship : The stories of the Hotel Woodpecker, Otter Inn and Luna Resort

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to challenge a traditional image of the content of entrepreneurship, which is associated with creativity, identity and discovery recognition.Design/methodolog ...

Dark and bright effects of a polarized entrepreneurship discourse… and the prospects of transformation

Dark and bright effects of a polarized entrepreneurship discourse… and the prospects of transformation

Organizing societal entrepreneurship : A cross-sector challenge

Allying and expanding the diverse fields of entrepreneurship and sustainable development research is a modern day imperative. The Handbook of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Research cuts through the different approaches and perspectives of the two fields to point the way ahead for research on sustainable entrepreneurship, outlining the motivation, intentions and impact of ecopreneurs in a local, national and global context.This Handbook paints an illuminating picture of the historic and current understanding of the bond between entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The authors explore the basic contradictions between the two fields and outline the transformative role entrepreneurship can play in achieving sustainable development. 45 expert researchers and their research communities from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, Australia and North America provide original and informative contributions on a variety of issues, from women’s empowerment to climate change and organic farmers to ecotourism.With current and authorative contributions spanning the globe, this Handbook will inspire researchers, teachers and policy-makers to compose their own understanding and contribution on the fast expanding field of entrepreneurship and sustainable development.