This article summarizes the commentary essay and two research articles comprising the special research forum on “The Social Performance and Responsibilities of Entrepreneurship.” A commentary essay by William J. Baumol addresses the social responsibilities of successful entrepreneurs. A research article by Laura J. Spence examines the social responsibilities of small businesses. A research article by Henning Engelke, Stefanie Mauksch, Inga-Lena Darkow, and Heiko von der Gracht examines scenarios for social enterprises in Germany.

The Industrial Revolution was the heyday of entrepreneurial activity, fuelling an unprecendented expansion of the UK's industrial base. The entreprenuer is a central figure in modern business economics, and this set draws together some of the classic studies of this subject. The volumes reprinted include important historical studies, as well as discussions of entrepreneurial behaviour.