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Toward a theory of the entrepreneurial process

Author

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  • Dennis Leyden
  • Albert Link

Abstract

This paper models the entrepreneurial process as both creation and discovery composed of an iterative two-step process where entrepreneurs create social networks based on subjective expectations about the future effectiveness of those networks, and then choose the innovation to pursue and map a search process to discover how to bring the innovation to fruition. Critical to this process is the mix of strong ties and weak ties that make up social networks and the ability to carry forward the social capital embodied in such networks. The tendency of long-existing entrepreneurs to be less innovative can be explained using this model. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Leyden & Albert Link, 2015. "Toward a theory of the entrepreneurial process," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 475-484, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:44:y:2015:i:3:p:475-484
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-014-9606-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Link, Albert N, 1980. "Firm Size and Efficient Entrepreneurial Activity: A Reformulation of the Schumpeter Hypothesis," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 88(4), pages 771-782, August.
    2. Zoltan J. Acs & David B. Audretsch, 2008. "Innovation in Large and Small Firms: An Empirical Analysis," Chapters, in: Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy, chapter 1, pages 3-15, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Albert N. Link & Christopher J. Ruhm & Donald S. Siegel, 2014. "Private Equity and the Innovation Strategies of Entrepreneurial Firms: Empirical Evidence from the Small Business Innovation Research Program," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(2), pages 103-113, March.
    4. Leyden, Dennis P. & Link, Albert N. & Siegel, Donald S., 2014. "A theoretical analysis of the role of social networks in entrepreneurship," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(7), pages 1157-1163.
    5. Thomas Schott & Mahdokht Sedaghat, 2014. "Innovation embedded in entrepreneurs’ networks and national educational systems," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 463-476, August.
    6. Robert Hébert & Albert Link, 2006. "The Entrepreneur as Innovator," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 31(5), pages 589-597, September.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gicheva, Dora & Link, Albert N., 2016. "On the economic performance of nascent entrepreneurs," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 109-117.
    2. Joshua C. R. Fletcher & Eric S. Howard & Albert N. Link & Alan C. O’Connor, 2023. "Knowledge-based information and the effectiveness of R&D in small firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 891-900, March.
    3. Loufrani-Fedida, Sabrina & Hauch, Valérie & Elidrissi, Djamila, 2019. "The dynamics of relational competencies in the development of born global firms: A multilevel approach," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 222-237.
    4. Martin S. Andersen & Jeremy W. Bray & Albert N. Link, 2017. "On the failure of scientific research: an analysis of SBIR projects funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(1), pages 431-442, July.
    5. Avelar, Sónia & Borges-Tiago, Teresa & Almeida, António & Tiago, Flávio, 2024. "Confluence of sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation, and digitalization in SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    6. Audretsch, David B. & Belitski, Maksim, 2024. "Knowledge collaboration, firm productivity and innovation: A critical assessment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Social networks; Innovation; Technology; Creation and discovery; L26; O31; O33; M13;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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