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The legitimacy of corporate entrepreneurship: a structured literature review

Author

Listed:
  • Lutz Göcke

    (University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen)

  • Kristina Hülsebusch

    (University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen)

  • Matthias Menter

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Abstract

Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) is essential for today’s firms and currently a topic of considerable interest within the business community. Although the magnitude of related studies has increased over the last years, research on CE is missing an integrated concept and a research agenda for understanding the dynamics of resource deployment and withdrawal, resulting from legitimacy within the organization. The objective of this study is to examine the determinants influencing the provision and withdrawal of resources in the context of corporate entrepreneurship and identify the underlying strategies for gaining legitimacy. Analyzing more than 30 years of research, we provide a multidimensional framework synthesizing the state-of-the-art of resource allocation and withdrawal in CE. Our findings suggest that CE entities undertaking legitimation efforts, to be perceived as a meaningful and trustworthy organizational element and receive active and passive support, is very important. Based on the structured literature review, we propose a legitimacy perspective on the resource dynamics in CE settings, to further advance our understanding of resource deployment and withdrawal within organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Lutz Göcke & Kristina Hülsebusch & Matthias Menter, 2022. "The legitimacy of corporate entrepreneurship: a structured literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(2), pages 385-416, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manrev:v:72:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11301-021-00246-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11301-021-00246-5
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    Cited by:

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    2. Kok-Bing Poh & Fang-Yi Lo & Kun-Huang Huarng & Ing. Tatiana Masárová, 2024. "Legitimacy theory for digitalization and international strategy of new venture capitalization," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 3349-3372, December.
    3. Alexandra Moritz & Joern Block, 2022. "Editorial to the special issue “Structured Literature Reviews in Entrepreneurship Research-Taking Stock and Setting the Agenda”," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(2), pages 275-279, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate entrepreneurship; Strategic entrepreneurship; Intrapreneurship; Legitimacy; Resource deployment; Resource withdrawal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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