Images of Entrepreneurship: Exploring Root Metaphors and Expanding Upon Them

Erik Lundmark, Anna Krzeminska and Dean A. Shepherd

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2019, vol. 43, issue 1, 138-170

Abstract: Despite increasing recognition of the importance of metaphors to theory development, metaphors’ influence on entrepreneurship theorizing has been largely unexplored. This is problematic because a field’s metaphors shape its underlying assumptions. This study takes stock of the entrepreneurship field through its metaphors by analyzing a corpus of highly cited entrepreneurship articles. We identify and explain eight root metaphors for entrepreneurship—parenthood, mutagen, conduit of knowledge, method, mindset, networking, exploration, and politics—underpinning the mainstream of the field. We then extend and combine the metaphors to develop a research agenda for building on the metaphors and moving beyond them.

Keywords: paradigm; Research Agenda; Reframing; Root Metaphors; Review; Reflexivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:entthe:v:43:y:2019:i:1:p:138-170

DOI: 10.1177/1042258717734369

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