A critical realist exploration of entrepreneurship as complex, reflexive and myriad

Journal of Critical Realism 20 (3):257-279 (2021)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper builds on previous studies that explore entrepreneurship from a critical realist morphogenetic perspective, and incorporates the neglected aspect of how agential reflexivity shapes entrepreneurship. Using the morphogenetic framework and its typology of reflexive modes, we analyse 78 work and life histories gathered from Sri Lanka with the aim of understanding reflexive entrepreneurial action. Our findings suggest that, while autonomous reflexives match the common understanding of entrepreneurship, i.e. that it is individualistic and wealth-driven, nevertheless the other reflexive modalities also exhibit entrepreneurship. For example, communicative reflexives may demonstrate entrepreneurship in achieving their aspiration to maintain a family firm or tradition, and meta-reflexives may demonstrate entrepreneurship in order to realize their value ideals. We conclude that the morphogenetic typology of reflexivity is a reliable guide to understanding subtleties associated with entrepreneurial action and resolving the ongoing debate about whether entrepreneurship is best understood as motivated by the individual or by society.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,221

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Response to Datta, Frauley and Pearce.Mervyn Hartwig - 2010 - Journal of Critical Realism 9 (2):248-254.
Relational agency: Relational sociology, agency and interaction.Ian Burkitt - 2016 - European Journal of Social Theory 19 (3):322-339.
Understanding mental health: a critical realist exploration.Graham Scambler - 2017 - Journal of Critical Realism 16 (1):88-90.
A Model of Social Entrepreneurial Discovery.Patrick J. Murphy & Susan M. Coombes - 2009 - Journal of Business Ethics 87 (3):325-336.
Entrepreneurship, Altruism, and the Good Society.George G. Brenkert - 2002 - The Ruffin Series of the Society for Business Ethics 3:125-142.

Analytics

Added to PP
2021-08-14

Downloads
8 (#1,133,785)

6 months
1 (#1,028,709)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

References found in this work

Enlightened Common Sense: The Philosophy of Critical Realism.Roy Bhaskar & Mervyn Hartwig - 2016 - New York: Routledge. Edited by Mervyn Hartwig.
Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour.[author unknown] - 2012 - Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour 42 (4):500-503.

Add more references