Entrepreneurship and Culture: The New Social Paradigm

The classic and dominant paradigm of entrepreneurship emphasizes the relatively universal and homogeneous responses of a small, but influential, minority as they make unique and breakthrough contributions. Entrepreneurs are often viewed as inspired individualists who possess the courage to "go against the grain" as they risk it all to pursue an impassioned vision. According to Joseph Schumpeter and those who build upon his seminal perspectives, such entrepreneurial individuals pursue a path of "creative destruction" that paves the way towards true and innovative progress. Today, state of the art research is tempering and transcending this classic vision by acknowledging a wider array of cultural, psychological, and environmental contexts, influences, and responses. This monograph contributes to this research stream by viewing entrepreneurs within a cultural perspective and advocating viewing entrepreneurship in "culturally competent" ways. Presenting these perspectives in a short and circumscribed volume provides an elegant and influential means of disseminating these important perspectives. Entrepreneurship and Culture expands beyond popular and conventional views of entrepreneurship and provides readers with alternative perspectives in even-handed ways. It shows the latest state of knowledge on the topic and will be of value both to advanced students, and to academics and practitioners in the fields of entrepreneurship, international business, leadership and organizational studies. Beyond the business school, this book will also be of interest to anthropology, economic development, and indigenous studies scholars.