Bryan T. Stinchfield

Learning From Levi-Strauss' Legacy: Art, Craft, Engineering, Bricolage, and Brokerage in Entrepreneurship

Given the increasing attention to traditionally less “rational” entrepreneurial behaviors, such as bricolage, we used grounded theory techniques to study 23 diverse entrepreneurs. From this, we developed a five–category typology of entrepreneurial behavior that includes art, craft, engineering, bricolage, and brokerage. Themes such as self–perceived identity, organization of space, integration of materials, sense of personal limits, and responsiveness to changing market conditions were observed along categorical lines. We discuss the significance of the typology and each categorys associations with venture longevity and financial performance for practitioners and for the study of entrepreneurship.

Rethinking Sustainability, Innovation, and Financial Performance

In light of the recent financial crises, many economists and politicians claim that a paradigm change in modern capitalism is needed, from short-term profit maximization to a long-term value value-creating and value-maintaining strategy. In this context, scholars have emphasized stakeholder claims, institutional change, corporate responsibilities, and the role of ecological conditions on the competitive environment (Buysse & Verbeke, 2003; Delmas & Toffel, 2004; Henriques & Sadorsky, 1999; Hoffman, 1999; Kassinis & Vafeas, 2006; Aragon-Correa & Sharma, 2003; Darnall & Edwards, 2006; Sharma & Vredenburg, 1998; Husted & Allen, 2007; Matten & Crane, 2005; Scherer & Palazzo, 2007). For managers this entails investing in resources that enhance the firm’s environmental and social performance while continuing to pursue economic growth. The goals are to minimize the firm’s negative effects on the natural environment and society without compromising profits. Are these goals mutually exclusive? We find that they are compatible in the long run. They are different sides of the same coin, with innovation being the missing link between them.

Towards a theory of corruption, nepotism, and new venture creation in developing countries

The dominant view among social scientists and policy makers has been that corruption has a mostly negative effect on economic growth - especially in developing countries. However, some scholars have shown support for the efficient grease hypothesis (EGH), which is that corruption can increase the efficiency of some economic transactions. Based on the EGH and Hofstedes (1983) work on national culture, we theorise that nepotism and corruption in developing countries facilitates the new venture creation process, and thereby reinforces the persistent nature of corruption. Implications for policy makers are also discussed.

Empirical Evidence That High Levels of Entrepreneurial Attitudes Dampen the Level of Civil Disorder

The global financial crisis that started in 2008 was followed by recessions, austerity measures, protests, and demonstrations. Relative deprivation theory (RDT) offers an explanation as to why people engage in protests and violence, and the literature contains evidence that economic and environmental variables are often to blame. However, previous RDT scholars have not investigated how a country’s entrepreneurial attitudes can affect increases in civil disorder, which is the primary purpose of this study. The authors’ results provide not only conflicting evidence regarding RDT explanations but also strong evidence that high levels of entrepreneurial attitudes can significantly dampen increases in society’s level of civil disorder. Levels of environmental degradation were found to have no impact on changes in civil disorder.

Stakeholders and corporate environmental decision making: The BP Whiting Refinery controversy

In 2007, BP sought and received regulatory approval to expand operations at its Whiting Refinery in northwest Indiana. Had the project gone forward as planned, the refinery would have discharged significantly higher levels of pollutants into Lake Michigan, but would have also contributed to economic development in the region. The result of BP seeking and being granted regulatory approval triggered a firestorm of controversy from multiple segments of society. This case study draws from secondary sources to examine the positions of a variety of stakeholders who influenced BPs decision as to whether or not it should expand its Whiting Refinery. Relevant stakeholders included for analysis are citizen and environmental organizations, political groups, trade associations, BPs employees, and stockholders. The intended target audience for this case is upper-level undergraduate business students studying issues related to business and society, such as corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

Erratum to: Contextualizing the subjectivist-objectivist debate in entrepreneurship using engineering, art, craft, and bricolage

The debate regarding the degree to which opportunities and resources are social constructions risks stagnation because it is difficult to argue that opportunities are either entirely constructed or entirely objective. In this paper we seek to contribute to this debate by introducing some overlooked aspects of the work of Levi-Strauss (1962) as they relate to the discussion of entrepreneurial opportunities and resources. A categorization scheme of entrepreneurs based on Levi-Strauss’ categories of art, craft, engineering and bricolage can be used to help differentiate the ways in which entrepreneurs view opportunities and resource acquisition, and how those views impact entrepreneurial action and ultimately entrepreneurial success. This contrasts with the more traditional entrepreneurship literature, which views opportunities as objective phenomena and opportunity identification and exploitation as completely rational.