The Nature and Focus of Entrepreneurship Research in France over the Last Decade: A French Touch?

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the specificities of entrepreneurship research in France, paying attention to its emergence, nature, and focus. Reviewing 253 articles and conference papers from two journals and two conferences, considered main outlets for research outcomes from French scholars, our findings reveal a distinctive “French touch” of entrepreneurship research. The main facets we were able to identify with our data for the 1995 to 2005 period are as follows. There is a preference for qualitative methods, conceptual contributions, and the entrepreneurial process as privileged research theme. A particular strength of the French approach is also a strong focus of small and medium–sized organizations. The “French touch” of entrepreneurship research could make a distinctive contribution to the international research community and the mainstream debate. However, mainly French–speaking dissemination of knowledge and (still) insufficient international journal–oriented output strategies limit the diffusion of French entrepreneurship research. Implications for academic institutions and future research are discussed.