Some insights into French entrepreneurship research – from the hypofirm model to the PIE and GAP typology

Michel Marchesnay

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2011, vol. 13, issue 2, 150-161

Abstract: This contribution deals with the pioneering research on entrepreneurship and small businesses that Professor Marchesnay initiated in France in the mid-80s, by setting up a research team devoted to the study of firms and industry (ERFI) at the University of Montpellier. Two major contributions on entrepreneurship and small business theories are described. Firstly, the hypofirm model, published in 1980, aimed to justify in some logical manner the superiority of smallness under given circumstances. The model anticipated some well-known concepts, such as dynamic capabilities or transaction costs. Secondly, the typology of entrepreneurs, published in 1987, based on the dominant logic of action, either patrimonial or entrepreneurial, contributed to establish a clear-cut differentiation between the entrepreneurs in search of either a perennial business activity (PIE), or simply rapid success (GAP). That typology lead to another one based on the duality between the social need for legitimacy and the economic incentive to competitiveness.

Keywords: France; hypofirms; typologies; Michel Marchesnay; PIE; permanence independence growth; GAP; growth autonomy permanence; University of Montpellier; ERFI; Research Team on the Firm and Industry; superiority; smallness; dynamic capabilities; transaction costs; dominant logic; patrimonial action; entrepreneurial action; perennial business activity; rapid success; dualities; social needs; legitimacy; economic incentives; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; R&D; research and development. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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