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Sociology and Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Contributions

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  • Paul D. Reynolds

Abstract

Sociological perspectives and research provide important and distinctive contributions to the understanding of entrepreneurship in three ways. The first is through the development of societal conceptions regarding productive activities that encompass the entrepreneurial role or function. The major alternatives emphasize socioeconomic systems as (a) moving toward an equilibrium (reflecting a broad consensus) or (b) reflecting the outcome of class competition (emphasizing conflict resolution). Both assume the inevitable dominance of massive productive organizations. These conceptions have recently been supplemented with attention to the dual nature of advanced economies or the benefits of flexible specialization. The second is through attention to specific societal characteristics affecting entrepreneurship: modernization; the role of the state in economic development; variations in the scope and nature of the unregistered (underground) economy; and the character of organizational populations and their ecological niche as they affect new firm foundings. The third is through attention to the impact of social context on the decisions of individuals to pursue entrepreneurial options. This includes attention to the individual's life course stage; social networks and embeddedness; ethnicity; and work experiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul D. Reynolds, 1992. "Sociology and Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Contributions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 16(2), pages 47-70, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:16:y:1992:i:2:p:47-70
    DOI: 10.1177/104225879201600205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Howard E. Aldrich, 1990. "Using an Ecological Perspective to Study Organizational Founding Rates," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 14(3), pages 7-24, April.
    2. Berger,Suzanne & Piore,Michael J., 1980. "Dualism and Discontinuity in Industrial Societies," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521231343, October.
    3. Feige,Edgar L. (ed.), 1989. "The Underground Economies," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521262309, October.
    4. Frank Fratoe, 1986. "A sociological analysis of minority business," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 15(2), pages 5-29, September.
    5. Birley, Sue, 1985. "The role of networks in the entrepreneurial process," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 107-117.
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    1. Norris F. Krueger Jr. & Deborah V. Brazeal, 1994. "Entrepreneurial Potential and Potential Entrepreneurs," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 18(3), pages 91-104, April.
    2. Peter S. Davis & Paula D. Harveston, 1998. "The Influence of Family on the Family Business Succession Process: a Multi-Generational Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 22(3), pages 31-53, April.
    3. William B. Walstad & Marilyn L. Kourilsky, 1998. "Entrepreneurial Attitudes and Knowledge of Black Youth," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 23(2), pages 5-18, December.
    4. Isaac Azikiwe Agholor & Ataharul Chowdhury & Ebenezer Olamide, 2024. "Evaluating Inspiring Factors and Obstacles in the Start-Up of Owned Agri-Preneurial Businesses: Underlying Evidence from South Africa," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Abolghasem Arabiun & Niloofar Salajegheh & Zeynab Aeeni & Armin Khaleghi Forghani, 2023. "Trends and patterns in entrepreneurial action research: a bibliometric overview and research agenda," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

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