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Appreciating Entrepreneurship: A New Approach for Field Research

Author

Listed:
  • Woodfield Paul

    (Department of Management, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)

  • Woods Christine

    (Department of Management and International Business, University of Auckland Business School, Auckland, New Zealand)

  • Shepherd Deborah

    (Department of Management and International Business, University of Auckland Business School, Auckland, New Zealand)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing an appreciative inquiry approach for entrepreneurship research within the family business context. We argue that there is an opportunity to shift the focus of family business studies from a“deficit oriented approach” toward adopting a positive organizational lens through“appreciative inquiry” principles. We review the background to appreciative inquiry including from its inception in the 1980s; the definitions, principles, models for appreciative inquiry; and the theoretical foundations of the appreciative inquiry approach. We will draw on examples from a recent study that applied appreciative inquiry principles to investigate what worked well in entrepreneurial family businesses. By exploring the generative characteristics, we are better placed to understand the strengths of a family firm. This leads to research that presents what works well, and can be built on in family businesses, rather than objectifying the problems to be solved. Our contribution lies in how, as a positive organizational lens, appreciative inquiry principles inform research in the entrepreneurial family business context. In practice, finding the advantages and disadvantages of using an appreciative protocol could lead to future studies adopting this lens, and possibly past studies being reinvigorated with a shift of focus.

Suggested Citation

  • Woodfield Paul & Woods Christine & Shepherd Deborah, 2017. "Appreciating Entrepreneurship: A New Approach for Field Research," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 7(2), pages 1-17, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bpj:erjour:v:7:y:2017:i:2:p:17:n:2
    DOI: 10.1515/erj-2016-0027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nordqvist, Mattias & Hall, Annika & Melin, Leif, 2009. "Qualitative research on family businesses: The relevance and usefulness of the interpretive approach," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 294-308, July.
    2. Frank Stowell, 2013. "The Appreciative Inquiry Method—A Suitable Candidate for Action Research?," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 15-30, January.
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