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Re-imagining the growth process : (co)-evolving metaphorical representations of entrepreneurial growth

Author

Listed:
  • Jean S. Clarke

    (University of Leeds)

  • Robin Holt

    (University of Leeds)

  • Richard Blundel

    (The Open University Business School [Milton Keynes] - OU - The Open University [Milton Keynes])

Abstract

We investigate the role and influence of the biological metaphor ‘growth' in studies of organizations, specifically in entrepreneurial settings. We argue that we need to reconsider metaphorical expressions of growth processes in entrepreneurship studies in order to better understand growth in the light of contemporary challenges, such as environmental concerns. Our argument is developed in two stages: first, we review the role of metaphor in organization and entrepreneurship studies. Second, we reflect critically on three conceptualizations of growth that have drawn on biological metaphors: the growing organism, natural selection and co-evolution. We find the metaphor of co-evolution heuristically valuable but under-used and in need of further refinement. We propose three characteristics of the co-evolutionary metaphor that might enrich our understanding of entrepreneurial growth: relational epistemology, collectivity and multidimensionality. Through this we provide a conceptual means of reconciling an economic impetus for entrepreneurial growth with an environmental imperative for sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean S. Clarke & Robin Holt & Richard Blundel, 2014. "Re-imagining the growth process : (co)-evolving metaphorical representations of entrepreneurial growth," Post-Print hal-02312338, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02312338
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2014.888099
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ramzi Mabsout, 2018. "The Backward Induction Controversy as a Metaphorical Problem," Economic Thought, World Economics Association, vol. 7(1), pages 24-49, March.
    2. Cyron, Thomas & Zoellick, Jan Cornelius, 2018. "Business Development in Post-Growth Economies: Challenging Assumptions in the Existing Business Growth Literature," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 29(3), pages 206-229.
    3. Abatecola, Gianpaolo & Breslin, Dermot & Kask, Johan, 2020. "Do organizations really co-evolve? Problematizing co-evolutionary change in management and organization studies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Erik Lundmark & Anna Krzeminska & Dean A. Shepherd, 2019. "Images of Entrepreneurship: Exploring Root Metaphors and Expanding Upon Them," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(1), pages 138-170, January.
    5. Thomas Bauwens & Benjamin Huybrechts & Frédéric Dufays, 2020. "Understanding the Diverse Scaling Strategies of Social Enterprises as Hybrid Organizations," Post-Print hal-02312322, HAL.
    6. Clarke, Jean & Holt, Robin, 2017. "Imagery of ad-venture: Understanding entrepreneurial identity through metaphor and drawing," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 476-497.

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