The paradigms that examine and describe the nature of the entrepreneurship process
have generally been linear, following the lead of the more mature management and
physical sciences. This emulation of linear methodologies has occurred despite
indications from authors such as Bygrave, Shaver and Mitton of their being less
appropriate at this relatively early stage of the social science of entrepreneurship. When
examining the nature of a phenomenon such as entrepreneurship, statistical correlations
and linear descriptions are limited to confirmation of existing hypotheses. The
underlying assumption is that the correct questions are known. However this
assumption becomes moot when seeking to include the many unpredictable, non-linear
aspects that add the key human vitality of entrepreneurship. This research seeks to move
toward a more complete description than linearity alone is able to capture.
The research presents a non-linear paradigm, being a holistic combination of the
rational evidence of entrepreneurship and what might be termed the spiritual or
intangible aspects that together constitute the observed craft of entrepreneurship. The
research highlights the dynamic skill-set used by entrepreneurs to balance key elements
in the entrepreneurial process, in a way that achieves a relational coherence. The focus
is on the high-tech industry which is especially prone to the use of linear descriptions of
the entrepreneurship process which takes a new idea and leads it to become a successful
product.
Interviews with entrepreneurship practitioners involved in the creation of new ventures
in the high-tech industry form the database against which this non-linear paradigm is
investigated. The results confirm that the success of the entrepreneurial process depends
on far more than the linear descriptions that are commonly used to describe the process.
Once the basics are in place, entrepreneurs appear to shift their focus to achieving a
multi-dimensional integration among what they identify as the key elements in the
entrepreneurial process. This is achieved despite apparent disorder and chaos being
evident in the process of new venture creation.
Entrepreneurs appear to make sense of the confusing non-linearity by focussing on the
relational attributes among elements in the new venture. The use of the non-linear
relational paradigm (NLRP) developed from the results of this research, enables a more
holistic understanding of the empirically observed process of entrepreneurship. This has
some significant implications for the management and evaluation of nascent technology
enterprises.
The NLRP's additional fix on the entrepreneurship process, can be used to inform the
venture capital industry when trying to predict the likelihood of success of prospective
ventures vying for funds. The NLRP's alternative view could also translate into more
appropriate new venture management once funded, and thus better success rates for
nascent ventures. The NLRP's insights on the way in which entrepreneurs create and
grow new ventures, can improve best-practice techniques for entrepreneurs and
influence the way in which entrepreneurship education is approached. Describing
innovation and entrepreneurship more holistically also has important implications for all
facets of industry that include a process of design, or seek to create wealth.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/216612 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Campbell, Alistair John, n/a |
| Publisher | Swinburne University of Technology. |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.swin.edu.au/), Copyright Alistair John Campbell |
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