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The distribution of Schumpeterian and Kirznerian opportunities

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  • Jeroen de Jong
  • Orietta Marsili

Abstract

Despite their presence in modern entrepreneurship theories, empirical investigations of opportunity types are scarce. We develop a 5-dimensional bipolar scale to measure the extent in which opportunities are Schumpeterian or Kirznerian. Drawing on this measure, we examine the shape of the opportunity distribution in relation to the environment and the characteristics of individuals who exploit them. Across a sample of 181 new products introduced by high-tech entrepreneurs, we find that pure Schumpeterian and Kirznerian types are rare, but rather opportunities display varying degrees of membership to one or the other type. The distribution is more skewed toward Schumpeterian opportunities for larger ventures, with a strategic focus on future needs, and operating in growing markets. In contrast, Kirznerian opportunities are more frequently pursued by small ventures, and by entrepreneurs that are young, with a strategic focus on present needs, and who are less innovative in their behavior. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Jeroen de Jong & Orietta Marsili, 2015. "The distribution of Schumpeterian and Kirznerian opportunities," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 19-35, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:44:y:2015:i:1:p:19-35
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-014-9585-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandra Colombelli & Jackie Krafft & Marco Vivarelli, 2016. "To be born is not enough: the key role of innovative start-ups," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 277-291, August.
    2. Peter Zwan & Roy Thurik & Ingrid Verheul & Jolanda Hessels, 2016. "Factors influencing the entrepreneurial engagement of opportunity and necessity entrepreneurs," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 6(3), pages 273-295, December.
    3. Alessandra Colombelli & Jackie Krafft & Marco Vivarelli, 2016. "Entrepreneurship and Innovation: New Entries, Survival, Growth," GREDEG Working Papers 2016-04, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    4. Ludovico Bullini Orlandi & Marco Bottura & Eleonora Veglianti & Alessandro Zardini, 2025. "Less is more: digital and physical sustainability shortage impact on entrepreneurial intention," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Colombelli, Alessandra & Krafft, Jackie & Vivarelli, Marco, 2016. "New Firms and Post-Entry Performance: The Role of Innovation," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201602, University of Turin.
    6. Dennis Fok & André Stel & Andrew Burke & Roy Thurik, 2019. "How entry crowds and grows markets: the gradual disaster management view of market dynamics in the retail industry," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 283(1), pages 1111-1138, December.
    7. Aldawod, Alvin, 2022. "A framework for the opportunity recognition process in UK entrepreneurial universities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    8. Alexandra Moritz & Joern H. Block & Fuad Morina, 2024. "Entrepreneurship in post-conflict countries: a literature review," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(10), pages 3025-3083, October.
    9. Joern H. Block & Christian O. Fisch & Mirjam van Praag, 2017. "The Schumpeterian entrepreneur: a review of the empirical evidence on the antecedents, behaviour and consequences of innovative entrepreneurship," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 61-95, January.
    10. Robert Wentrup & H. Richard Nakamura & Patrik Ström, 2020. "Closing the Digital Entrepreneurship Gap the Case of Returnee Entrepreneurs in Morocco," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 6(1), pages 140-162, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Austrian economics; Schumpeterian innovation; Opportunity exploitation; Quantile regression; B52; B53; L26; M13; O31;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • B53 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Austrian
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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