Definition Of Entrepreneurship Research Articles

Дефиниция «предпринимательство» в контексте современной геополитической обстановки: новые тенденции развития

Entrepreneurship, being a determining factor of economic progress under classical capitalism, retains its importance at all stages of the development of a market economy. In the modern geopolitical situation in the world and in the Russian Federation, the factor of entrepreneurship is of particular importance, enhancing the effect of not only its well-known functions, but focusing on the social function, in particular on the social responsibility of the entrepreneur. In this regard, the scientific community has not yet formulated a definition of the category “entrepreneurship”. The purpose of this study is to develop the theoretical and methodological foundations for the study of entrepreneurship from the perspective of its role in the process of expanded reproduction, taking into account its social function and social responsibility of the entrepreneur. Based on an analysis of existing approaches to defining entrepreneurship, the authors identified its characteristic features: initiative, creativity, independence, risk, search for new business opportunities, innovativeness, consumer orientation and social responsibility of the entrepreneur. It is proposed to supplement the definition of entrepreneurship, taking into account its role in ensuring the reproduction of the productive forces of society in the modern geopolitical situation. The characteristic features of entrepreneurship as an economic category are formulated, and its functions are highlighted – reproductive, coordination, organizational, innovative, social and personal. It is shown that entrepreneurship can be carried out in the form of imitation or innovation, depending on the prevailing functions. Both forms are important for economic development. Taking into account the reproductive function of entrepreneurship, the reasons for the state’s economic policy to activate it are highlighted – stimulating economic restructuring, overcoming market failures, supporting the innovation process. The policy for activating entrepreneurship must be comprehensive and coordinated. It is necessary to integrate the efforts of various ministries and departments to stimulate entrepreneurial dynamics and develop the social responsibility of business. Thus, the article substantiates the conceptual provisions of the theory of entrepreneurship, identifies its reproductive function and proposes an approach to the formation of state policy to enhance entrepreneurial activity, taking into account the reproductive and social functions, including the function of social responsibility of the entrepreneur.

Siti Khadijah RA: Implementasi Prinsip Etika Islam Pengusaha Wanita

Siti Khadijah RA's Islamic entrepreneurial spirit is the basis for this article. The aim is to study how modern entrepreneurial women behave. This was the only Islamic educational tradition during the time of the Prophet where women served together. The aim of this research is to create an entrepreneur in the style of Siti Khadijah RA as an example of Muslim women who were successful in business in history as a solution for today's female entrepreneurs and spread this entrepreneurship throughout the world. Siti Khadijah RA, wife of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was one of the most famous female traders due to her success as a respected and wealthy business woman of her time using Islamic Business Ethics. Women do many important things in life. Women are not just teachers, but also a source of family love. In the modern world, the differences in roles between men and women are gradually decreasing. Many women work in important positions. Many women work in important government positions. Moreover, the majority of modern entrepreneurs are women. Women became more important after Islam entered Arabia. Women are given the opportunity to participate in business and demonstrate their abilities in society. As a data source for this research, literature research was used and relevant scientific articles were studied. The results of this research contain a number of basic verses in the Koran regarding entrepreneurship. Muslim entrepreneurs not only pay attention to the definition of entrepreneurship, but also social entrepreneurship.

The Concept of Entrepreneurship in a Business Perspective

This material discusses the concept of entrepreneurship, theories that support the understanding of entrepreneurial phenomena, as well as the characteristics inherent in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is defined as the process of creating something new, innovative and valuable. There are four main theories: economic, sociological, psychological, and behavioral, which provide different views on entrepreneurship. The concept of entrepreneurship includes the risk manager's ability to optimize resources to create useful products or businesses. Several definitions of entrepreneurship are presented by experts such as Ahmad Sanusi, Peter F. Drucker, and Soeharto Prawiro. Entrepreneurial characteristics include high commitment, creativity, innovation, independence, and perseverance. Through understanding these concepts and characteristics, society can respond to changing needs and realities with high initiative and creativity.

Whither Goest the Entrepreneur?

This essay recounts the circumstances that provoked and influenced earlier research and publications on entrepreneurship by Hebert and Link (1982, 1988, 1989a, 1989b, 2006a, 2006b, 2009). Once a dark corner of economics, the study of entrepreneurship has enjoyed some light as the scholarship has matured, and the boundaries of entrepreneurship research have expanded. Challenges remain, however. The field still suffers from conjecture and confusion, and even the definition of entrepreneur has escaped consensus. Whatever direction future research takes, entrepreneurship must be recognized as an inherently decentralized activity: disruptive, contrarian, and incompatible with central planning.

The Role of Higher Education and Training in Entrepreneurial Development in Afghanistan

Education and training stand as pivotal factors in the growth and development of entrepreneurship, capturing global attention. Various studies have demonstrated that entrepreneurial traits are predominantly acquired rather than inherited, underscoring the current emphasis on entrepreneurship education. Today, entrepreneurial education has become one of the most crucial and widespread activities within educational institutions, especially universities, worldwide. Given the substantial impact of entrepreneurship on economic and social development, governments invest considerable efforts in providing entrepreneurial education to their populace. In recent years, Afghanistan has witnessed significant endeavors by institutions and universities, establishing entrepreneurial centers and conducting various educational programs for students.
 This article, based on qualitative data and employing a descriptive research method, endeavors to explore the significant role and influence of higher education and training in entrepreneurial development within the country. The research aims to shed light on the intersection of education and entrepreneurship, addressing topics such as the definition of entrepreneurship, the importance and necessity of entrepreneurship education, research objectives, questions, and hypotheses, the goals of entrepreneurial education, the need for entrepreneurship courses in universities, universities' objectives in promoting entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial characteristics of universities, social and cultural indicators of entrepreneurship at the university level. Finally, the study concludes with findings and recommendations.

SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG PORTUGUESE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

This study aims to know the Social Representation of Entrepreneurship among Portuguese higher education students. 966 students answered through a free word evocation technique based on the term entrepreneurship. 4,726 terms were identified in a total of 339 different words. The results show a central core organized around the core concepts of Creativity, Company, Initiative, Innovation, Business, and Work. A first periphery was identified with terms such as Support, Autonomy, Development, Money, and Commitment. A second periphery contains aspects such as Determination, Leadership, and Realization. A contrasting core, referred to by a minority group, is composed of elements such as Power, Boldness, and Aspiration. The results suggest that the core definition of entrepreneurship has attained the status of social representation among Portuguese higher education students.

CURRENT STATE AND PROBLEMS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The article examines different approaches to the definition of entrepreneurship that have evolved historically. A detailed analysis of the number of large, medium, small, and micro businesses in recent years is carried out. It is noted that in Ukraine today, there are many problems that impede the development of entrepreneurship, the solution of which will increase the efficiency of entrepreneurial activity, expand the entrepreneurial sector, and reduce the shadow sector. The main role in these transformations should be played by the state. The main problems of entrepreneurship development are highlighted: a full-scale war; reduction of investments, lack of incentives for investment, constant shelling, insecurity in the country, problems with access to credit, lack of collateral, the highest interest rates of commercial banks; inaccessibility of credit resources for starting and running a business or its restoration; high level of taxation (payroll taxes; inability to show the real financial condition (losses of the enterprise); inability to return to the impossibility of VAT refund; a large number of different direct and indirect taxes and fees; burdensome reporting system; constant changes in the legislative framework; uncertainty of entrepreneurs in the stability of business conditions (contradictions between legislative acts; insecurity against raider attacks related to corruption of the judicial system and inefficiency of the executive service; lack of a clearly defined state policy in the field of business support; increase in administrative barriers (registration, licensing, certification, etc.); and excessive interference of public authorities in the activities of business entities; high levels of corruption, unstable conditions and raiding; lack of qualified personnel, lack of practical skills of entrepreneurial employees in doing business, imperfect system of training, retraining and advanced training of personnel for entrepreneurial activities.

Socio-cultural elements of the Marwari business community in India

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the elements of the Marwari business community’s sociocultural context, which influence entrepreneurial behaviour. The entrepreneurial behaviour of the Marwari community is interrogated in the context of the wider indigenous entrepreneurship literature.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a qualitative approach in exploring the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and effectual entrepreneurial behaviour of a sample of Marwari entrepreneurs. An exploratory, qualitative content analysis method was adopted to highlight the emerging insights into traditional entrepreneurship.FindingsThe study identifies unique, traditional Marwari behavioural constructs such as Sakh and Samai and the role it plays in trust-based business relationships. Overall, the study finds that although the Marwari practices and ecosystem enable a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial and business process, they do not facilitate creative innovation or entrepreneurial experimentation as seen within modern start-up incubation ecosystems.Research limitations/implicationsThe study took a conscious decision to restrict further data collection upon saturation and used a purposeful sampling technique to increase the richness of this study rather than enlarge the sample and dilute the quality of the data.Practical implicationsThe study identifies nuances of Marwari’s traditional practices that have come to determine their effectual tendencies that support business growth and sustainability. The study, however, finds that the restrictiveness of the Marwari ecosystem practices on fluency of doing business rather than creative innovation and thought experimentation risks the longevity of the traditional ecosystem advantage enjoyed by the Marwaris for centuries.Social implicationsThe study broadens the understanding of the uniqueness of traditional business communities, which are comparatively marginalized in mainstream entrepreneurship research. Via this study, it is seen that the Marwari form of entrepreneurship is collectivist rather than individualist in nature, which differentiates them from their Western counterparts. This helps to explain why entrepreneurs tend to behave differently; hence, achieving a universal definition of entrepreneurship remains a challenge.Originality/valueWhile the relationship between the sociocultural aspects of communities and their entrepreneurial behaviour is known, the role of the constituent elements of the Marwari sociocultural context and influence on business is unclear. This study takes the lead in identifying such elements of the Marwari sociocultural construct and argues how these elements can play a role in the Marwaris demonstrating tendencies of effectual behaviour.

Réévaluer la participation des femmes aux activités entrepreneuriales au dix-neuvième siècle : une revue de la littérature

Nineteenth-century businesswomen were almost entirely neglected, the historiography having adopted the hypothesis of the withdrawal of women from the business sphere after the eighteenth century. A growing body of literature is challenging this view, claiming that women did in fact actively contribute to the industrialization process and occupied key positions as investors and entrepreneurs, and revealing the constant and non-negligible presence of women at the head of businesses. This article reviews recent literature on women entrepreneurship in the nineteenth century. On the one hand, we analyze the reasons invoked by recent studies in order to explain why female entrepreneurship has so long remained ignored. The separate spheres ideology, the rise of industrialization, legal systems, the narrow definition of entrepreneurship and the issue of the sources might have contributed to maintain the idea that women would have withdrawn from business. On the other hand, we review the methods used in the recent revisionist literature in order to identify women entrepreneurs in the historical records and to assess the importance of their participation in entrepreneurial activities. Whereas some sources (tax rolls, censuses, directories, articles of association, etc.) help drawing general conclusions about female entrepreneurship supporting quantitative research, others (private family papers and objects, newspapers and advertisements, public and legal records) are particularly helpful for qualitative investigations permitting to draw in-depth portraits of these women.

The Birth and Death of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurial Ventures: A Critical Review of Key Variables & Research Agenda

According to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), small business owners represent 99.9% of all U.S. firms and employ 48% of the private sector employees, which accounts for over 40% of the U.S. private sector payroll. Following global suit, the focus in the United States on entrepreneurship has been on the rise over the last decade and is a major source of employment and revenue, as well as spurring new innovation (Leutner et al., 2014, America’s Small Business Development Center [ASBDC], 2020; U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA], 2020). In order to get a full picture of entrepreneurship in the United States, research and many studies have been conducted to try to understand the accountability of strategic management and the tactical reasoning of entrepreneurs (Ciavarella et al., 2004; Hurtz & Donovan, 2000; Leutner et al., 2014; Mitchell et al., 2007; Owens, 2003; Rauch & Frese, 2000; Staniewski & Awruk, 2019). While there are many definitions of entrepreneurship, a commonly accepted definition is the behavior that is tied to the generation of value in innovative tendencies, techniques, and actions. Strategic management helps an organization, small business, or new venture to get equipped with the right management tools, anticipate changes, and direct the organizational activities along the right path as part of a decision-making process. The objective of this critical review and research agenda paper is to better understand the role strategic management plays in the birth and death of small businesses and new ventures. Further, to explore if certain personality traits of individuals are responsible for promoting such actions, more than others. The Theory of Planned Behavior is considered from a theoretical background perspective to view the lens of accountability of this body of research. Specifically, as a discipline, can strategic management likely be considered accountable for the birth and death of organizations, small businesses, and new ventures? Are certain personality traits of individuals more responsible for promoting such actions than others?

EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: FROM MARKET ORIGINS TO INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

The article considers the genesis of conceptual approaches to the definition of entrepreneurship from the period of emergence of market relations to the present. Features of transformation of business activity in the conditions of inclusive economy are reflected. The aim is to systematize theoretical approaches of clarification of the nature of entrepreneurship and determine the essence of inclusive economy as a form of application of entrepreneurial skills. Method. The key provisions of the classical heritage of philosophy, political economy, business theory and the system of scientific management serve as the methodological basis. The following methods were used during reserach: dialectics, analysis and synthesis, generalization, comparison and systematization. Results. The conducted research helped to organize scientific approaches to the conceptual understanding of the content of entrepreneurship and to clarify the subtleties of its modern transformation by usage of appropriate methodological tools. It is of practical importance for systematization of the views of economists on the nature of entrepreneurship from the age of formation of market relations to the present. This will stimulate the activization of research programs geared towards revelation of the patterns of formation of inclusive economy in Ukraine as a novel business environment.

Fostering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems through the Stimulation and Mentorship of New Entrepreneurs

Existing definitions of entrepreneurship highlight the functional role of entrepreneurs, emphasizing their responsibilities for coordination, allocating resources, making decisions, supplying capital, innovation, and bearing uncertainty. This research analyzes the impact that external funding and supportive soft-skills mechanisms such as mentorship, advice, and networking with experienced entrepreneurs have on transforming the entrepreneurial attitude of new entrepreneurs. In measuring attitudes regarding entrepreneurial success, a series of variables specific to the nature of the analyzed entrepreneurial ecosystem are revealed and adapted, starting from psychological research. This approach is implemented to evaluate the self-perception of efficacy and transformation of entrepreneurs after initiating their companies. The survey of Romanian new entrepreneurs is considered as the database. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data set is used to consider entrepreneurial motives and impacts at the macrolevel. The correlation analysis, statistical tests, and ANOVA helped to reveal the differences in attitudes to mentorship and similar indicators in the Romanian business environment. The novelty of the research is seen in the consideration of field cases and a global monitoring data set through the prism of ground mathematical methods. The focus on boosting new entrepreneurs with a mixture of finance and soft skills support simultaneously addresses a research gap that is slightly closed by this research. The study showed that the mentoring program for new entrepreneurs increased their self-confidence, especially for young people, taught them how to run a company without outside interference, and significantly transformed the mentality of the participants in the experiment. Thus, the policy of supporting new entrepreneurs not only financially, but also in skills, has good prospects and needs to be intensified.

The prehistoric entrepreneur: rethinking the definition

PurposeThis paper aims to derive a time and place invariant definition of entrepreneurship necessary for the identification of prehistoric entrepreneurial behavior.Design/methodology/approachThe definition was derived by correlating a diverse set of archeological artifacts that could correspond to entrepreneurial activity with established anthropological and historical evidence of ancient entrepreneurial activity. The definition was formulated as a compact operational definition to ensure it could produce yes or no answers to whether specific archeological, anthropological or historical records could be associated with entrepreneurial activity.FindingsThis effort produced a unique time and place independent definition of entrepreneur that enables the identification of prehistoric entrepreneurial activity and heretofore unrealized structure of entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, entrepreneurship as defined herein predates social hierarchy, political economy, markets and pricing mechanisms. Modern definitions often inconsistently limit the scope of entrepreneurial behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis was performed based upon specific, not exhaustive, sets of archeological, anthropological and historical records. Unexamined records or new discoveries could yield examples of entrepreneurial activity that transcend this definition.Practical implicationsThis definition challenges how we think about, measure and model entrepreneurial impact today and opens new avenues of inquiry to understanding the social and economic impacts of entrepreneurial behavior.Originality/valueA time and place invariant operational definition of entrepreneurship that could precisely identify entrepreneurial activity in the archeological record has not existed before. The definition enables the author to identify entrepreneurial activity among hunter-gatherers and in other locations not previously identified.

GİRİŞİMCİ VE GİRİŞİMCİLİK KAVRAMLARI ÜZERİNE TARİHSEL BİR DEĞERLENDİRME: TANIMLARDA YER ALAN ORTAK VURGULAR

Bu çalışmada, girişimci ve girişimcilik kavramlarını tarihsel gelişim sürecinde değerlendirmek, literatürde öne çıkan girişimci tanımlarında öne çıkan unsurları belirlemek ve gelişmiş bir girişimcilik teorisine ulaşma olasılığını artırmak amaçlanmıştır. Öncelikle yerli ve yabancı girişimcilik literatürü detaylı bir şekilde ele alınıp dönemsel olarak bir sınıflandırmaya gidilmiştir. Daha sonra bu tanımlarda yer alan ortak ifadeler belirlenmiş olup son olarak bu tanımların belirlenen kriterler çerçevesinde değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır. Tarihsel süreçte öne sürülen girişimcilik tanımlarından hareketle girişimcilik tanımlarındaki ortak kavramlar, tekrar eden unsurlar, kabul edilen ortak davranış kalıpları analiz edilmiştir. Bu kavramların temel varsayımları, bu kavramların etkilediği ya da etkilendiği kuramlar ve okullar, kavramların davranış mı eğilim mi olduğu ele alınmıştır. İş dünyasının merkezi oyuncusu olan girişimcinin tarihsel süreçte geçirdiği yolculuk ve bu yolculukta ortaya çıkan 23 adet temel tanımsal unsurun ortaya konulması, bu tanımların etkilediği ve etkilendiği kuramlarla ilişki kurulması bu çalışmanın en temel sonucudur. Sonraki araştırmalarda girişimci ve girişimcilik tanımlarının bu bağlamda ele alınması olgunun ve girişimcilik kavramının seyrinin anlaşılması noktasında ışık tutması beklenmektedir. Araştırma girişimcilik alanındaki tartışmalı tanımlamaları bütüncül manada birleştirici yaklaşımla ele alması alana özgün bir katkı sunmuştur.

Impact of collaborative, entrepreneurship education on the financial risk taken by university students

Based on the definition of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs can be considered as risk-takers. The literature contains conflicting theories as to whether risk-taking can be influenced by external factors. The current paper investigates the effect of entrepreneurship education and collaborative environment on financial risk-taking behavior among university-age young people. To this end, an online survey was conducted involving 510 participants and various statistical tests were utilized to test the research hypothesis. To measure financial risk-taking propensity, the Choice Dilemma Questionnaire methodology was implemented. The results of the analysis reveal that both the level of entrepreneurship education and a collaborative environment increase financial risk-taking. Moreover, multiple linear regression methodology was used to capture the significant factors that influence financial risk-taking when investing alone and investing in a collaborative environment. As a policy recommendation, the authors suggest that an entrepreneurship training curriculum should be developed that incorporates the various activities and elements of a collaborative environment.

ՁԵՌՆԱՐԿԱՏԵՐ ԵՎ ՁԵՌՆԱՐԿԱՏԻՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ. ՁԵՌՆԱՐԿԱՏԻՐԱԿԱՆ ԳՈՐԾՈՒՆԵՈՒԹՅԱՆՆ ԱՌՆՉՎՈՂ ՀԻՄՆԱԽՆԴԻՐՆԵՐԻ ՇՐՋԱՆԱԿԸ ՀՀ-ՈՒՄ / ENTREPRENEUR AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SCOPE OF THE BASIC PROBLEMS RELATED TO ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY IN RA

trepreneurship in different historical periods conditioned by various factors of the external environment and to present the issues related to entrepreneurial activity in RA within the context of the growing importance of the competitiveness of enterprises. Within the framework of this article, based on the study of relevant literature, it was possible to propose a comprehensive definition of entrepreneurship, implement an analysis of the state of entrepreneurial activity in RA, also presenting the survival indicators of economic entities, calculated according to the Eurostat-OECD methodology, and reveal the issues related to entrepreneurial activity in RA.

Empirical research on high-growth entrepreneurship: a literature review and Latam research agenda

ObjectivoDada a falta de investigação sobre empreendedorismo de alto crescimento nas economias desenvolvidas e em desenvolvimento, esta investigação responde (a) Quais são as principais definições e tipologias utilizadas para explicar o fenómeno de alto crescimento? (b) Como poderia ser descrito o ciclo de vida dos empresários de alto crescimento? e (c) Quais são as principais descobertas e limitações na investigação empírica sobre empreendedorismo de alto crescimento?Concepção/metodologia/abordagemPara avançar o estudo do empreendedorismo de alto crescimento organizámos e revimos a literatura existente com base na definição fundacional, nas tipologias utilizadas para o descrever e nas fases do novo processo de empreendimento. A amostra final consistiu em 54 trabalhos empíricos de 2010 a 2020.ResultadosEsta investigação faz avançar a exploração do empreendedorismo de alto crescimento e fornece uma visão global abrangente deste fenómeno com base em inquéritos globais normalizados. Esta investigação proporcionou uma visão geral do empreendedorismo de alto crescimento, apresentando uma agenda de investigação baseada em resultados empíricos e limitações.Implicações práticasAs estruturas desenvolvidas poderiam ser utilizadas tanto pelos decisores políticos como pelos empresários para compreender as variáveis que afectam o ciclo de vida empresarial e como poderiam aumentar a probabilidade de sobrevivência de novos empreendimentos em economias desenvolvidas e em desenvolvimento.Originalidade/valorA revisão fornece definições e tipologias empresariais utilizadas para descrever o fenómeno de alto crescimento, estabelecendo pontes entre quadros teóricos desajustados e propondo uma visão integrada para explorar o fenómeno num novo cenário.

PERCEPTIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MALAWI: A COUNTRY CONTEXT UNDERSTANDING OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship is considered a strategy for economic development, but other scholars found that it does not bring economic growth in developing countries. Although entrepreneurship has multiple perspectives, there is a lack of knowledge about prevailing perceptions and activities undertaken in developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to measure the perceptions of entrepreneurship in Malawi to have country context knowledge of the concept that guides what is undertaken as entrepreneurship. A cross-sectional survey of 337 enterprise owners and managers was undertaken using a questionnaire. Participants were requested to provide their top-of-the-mind definitions of entrepreneurship and activities their enterprises had undertaken which were considered entrepreneurial. Analyses of definitions and activities undertaken were used to draw out perceptions of entrepreneurship. The study found that starting and managing one's own business for profit, creating jobs, and being self-employed is the prevailing understanding of entrepreneurship in Malawi. The study further found low innovation among enterprises. Although the perceptions found reflect classical economic perspectives, they are inadequate to ignite economic development because of a lack of focus on innovation. The findings imply that understanding a concept is important in practice. Therefore, stakeholders are encouraged to appraise their knowledge about entrepreneurship to align with theories where entrepreneurship is the driver of business growth and economic development. Further studies are required on the relationships between perceptions of entrepreneurship, activities undertaken, and economic development to advance entrepreneurial knowledge in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The definition of entrepreneurship: is it less complex than we think?

PurposeThe paper introduces a new conceptualisation of entrepreneurship that promotes a broader perspective of the phenomenon. The purpose of the paper is to re-conceptualise the act of entrepreneurship so as to reduce it to the fundamental behaviours and processes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper sets out the motivations for and challenges in establishing a broader definition of entrepreneurship. Following this, current approaches to defining entrepreneurship are reviewed. In light of these, a definition of entrepreneurship is offered that captures a new perspective in understanding entrepreneurship. A critique of the offered definition is offered with regards to promoting theory development, empirical research, quality predictions and a distinctive research domain.FindingsThe authors argue that a definition of entrepreneurship that is focussed on the development and validation of ideas provides a thought-provoking re-conceptualisation of entrepreneurship. Extant perspectives on entrepreneurship as business/organisation creation, uncertainty, innovation, value creation and opportunity recognition/creation are drawn on to demonstrate the applicability of the definition.Originality/valueThe pursuit for an encompassing definition of entrepreneurship has been both extensive and earnest, which has inadvertently resulted in a sizable pool of definitions. The authors offer a re-conceptualisation of entrepreneurship with the intent to provide a broad yet coherent definition that encompasses all acts of entrepreneurship. A benefit of this conceptualisation is the establishment of the endpoint of the entrepreneurship process that delineates it from the domain of management.

Reflecting on perceived failure of entrepreneurship development initiatives to help ignite economic development in Malawi

This study reflects on the perceived failure of entrepreneurship development initiatives to help ignite economic development in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey of 337 enterprises collected top-of-the-mind definitions of entrepreneurship, and innovations and their values carried out. Content analyses, comparison of mean values, 2 independent samples tests and multiple linear regression analyses showed that entrepreneurship is perceived as starting and managing one’s own business; being self-employed. Carrying out innovations is low and of low value, but enterprises which carried out innovations had higher median values than those that did not. The study found opportunity-motivated, growth-oriented, limited liability enterprises in the medium-to-large size category to be productive types of enterprises, but there were very few. It is argued that initiatives fail to help ignite economic development because knowledge which guides entrepreneurship development misses the essence of entrepreneurship—carrying out innovations. Secondly, there are no initiatives to support SME innovation and growth through product development, investments in modern production facilities and access to export markets. It is encouraged that key stakeholders adjust their understanding of entrepreneurship to neoclassical economic perspectives, encourage innovative start-ups and provide support to grow the numbers of productive enterprises.