In the absence of a widely accepted and common definition of social enterprise (SE), a large research project, the "International Comparative Social Enterprise Models" (ICSEM) Project, was carried out over a five-year period; it involved more than 200 researchers from 55 countries and relied on bottom-up approaches to capture the SE phenomenon. This strategy made it possible to take into account and give legitimacy to locally embedded approaches, thus resulting in an analysis encompassing a wide diversity of social enterprises, while simultaneously allowing for the identification of major SE models to delineate the field on common grounds at the international level. These SE models reveal or confirm an overall trend towards new ways of sharing the responsibility for the common good in today's economies and societies. We tend to consider as good news the fact that social enterprises actually stem from all parts of the economy. Indeed, societies are facing many complex challenges at all levels, from the local to the global level. The diversity and internal variety of SE models are a sign of a broadly shared willingness to develop appropriate although sometimes embryonic-responses to these challenges, on the basis of innovative economic/business models driven by a social mission. In spite of their weaknesses, social enterprises may be seen as advocates for and vehicles of the general interest across the whole economy. Of course, the debate about privatisation, deregulation and globalised market competition-all factors that may hinder efforts in the search for the common good-has to be addressed as well. The second of a series of four ICSEM books, Social Enterprise in Latin America will serve as a key reference and resource for teachers, researchers, students, experts, policy makers, journalists and other categories of people who want to acquire a broad understanding of the phenomena of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship as they emerge and develop across the world.

Resourcing new ventures is-all important for entrepreneurs, and creating a successful business plan can be make or break when it comes to attracting investment. Written by an experienced academic and consultant, this book provides a concise guide for producing the optimal business plan. Business plans are vital when it comes to making strategic decisions and monitoring progress. Writing a Business Plan is designed to teach you how to write your business plan without relying on someone else or internet templates. It will take you through each stage of business-plan writing, with chapters on generating ideas; describing business opportunities; drawing a business road map; and considering marketing, financial, operations, HR, legal and risk. The book includes a range of features to assist you, including worked-through examples. This unique book provides a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs and students of entrepreneurship to hone their skills in writing a useful and comprehensive business plan.

This fascinating book aims to provide a deeper understanding of the decision-making processes of entrepreneurs. This is achieved via a comparison of entrepreneurial individuals with different levels of expertise in contexts with varying degrees of potential for entrepreneurial success. This multidisciplinary study is based on entrepreneurship theory and empirical research as well as cognitive psychology. The cognitive perspective provides a link between the entrepreneur and new business creation by focusing on an individual's cognitive behaviour rather than on their personality traits. The essential issues of gathering and application of knowledge and expertise are also addressed: one of the most important implications of the study is that successful entrepreneurial decision-making behaviour can actually be taught and learned. The book concludes, however, that the provision of optimal teaching methods of this decision-making behaviour is a stiff challenge faced by entrepreneurship education. Presenting a novel combination of cognitive psychology and entrepreneurship theory with important practical implications, this book will strongly appeal to those involved in the study of entrepreneurship and cognitive psychology, and business and management. Entrepreneurs themselves will also find much to interest them in this book.

A remarkable fifteen Nordic family businesses are among the 500 biggest companies in the world and the Nordic countries have more dynasties than most others per capita and in GDP terms. The willingness, often reluctant, of both the political system and labour movement to accept asset accumulation has helped these Nordic businesses survive. The top 1% of Swedes own close to 25% of the country's wealth, as opposed to 16.5% of Spaniards, where dynasties are also abundant. The pattern has held a firm grip on the Nordic countries since the Industrial Revolution and emergence of free enterprise. The trend is particularly pronounced in comparison with the Anglo-Saxon countries - somewhat less so relative to places like Italy, Japan, Germany and South-Asian countries. This book describes the factors and dynamics behind the ability of Nordic businesses to grow and thrive from one generation to the next in the process of becoming dynasties. Far from being commercial enterprises, they are a venue for power, philanthropy, passion, conflict, freedom and captivity. Like many other dynasties, the Nordic ones are a witch's brew of Machiavelli's Prince, Marx's belief in the potential of the meritocracy and Smith's baker who works to sustain his family. Topped by a spoonful of Weber's Protestant Ethic. This book will be key readings for students and scholars of entrepreneurship, corporate governance, business history, Scandinavian history, family business and enterprises and the related disciplines.

What do entrepreneurs do? In a comprehensive and detailed exploration using three perspectives - behavior, practice and process - this Research Handbook demonstrates specific methods for answering that question and provides insights into the implications of pursuing that question. The authors demonstrate a variety of methods including ethnography, autoethnography, participant observation, diaries, social media platforms and multilevel research techniques to delve into the foundations of entrepreneurial behavior. In addition to reinvigorating this long dormant area of scholarship, these chapters provide scholars with the idea that the disparate perspectives on this topic are really headed in the same direction. They also demonstrate the notion that similar tools can be utilized to answer the same type of questions emanating from these different perspectives. The contributors go on to offer insights to a wide range of scholarship on organizations. Entrepreneurship scholars, PhD students, and upper level graduate and undergraduate students who want a current overview on the theories, methods and implications of studying entrepreneurship will welcome the insights explored in this Research Handbook. Contributors include: A. Brattstroem, O. Byrne, A. Caetano, H.S. Chen, F. Delmar, D. Dimov, A. Fayolle, D. Fletcher, W.B. Gartner, B. Johannisson, A.R. Johnson, T. Karlsson, M. Lackeus, J.R. Mitchell, R.K. Mitchell, H. Neergaard, R.D.M. Pelly, K. Poldner, S.C. Santos, P. Selden, B.T. Teague, N.A. Thompson, C. Thrane, M. Tillmar, H. Vahidnia, E. van Burg, J.P. Warhuus, K. Wennberg

Recently emerging from a remote corner of study, entrepreneurial ecosystems and startups are assuming an increasingly significant role in today's business world. This book constitutes a pioneering introduction to entrepreneurial ecosystems and startups, advancing the debate and providing unique and original coverage of the subject. In this book, leading international researchers provide a synopsis of the current literature, and push forwards the boundaries of the field, using case studies to illustrate the implications of both theory and practice. Chapters cover the emergence, dynamics and management of entrepreneurial ecosystems, offering tools, experimental evidence and practical examples that will be invaluable to those seeking a greater understanding of entrepreneurship and startup strategies. Providing a comprehensive introduction to the subject, and an array of intriguing insights, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Diffusion of Startups will be a vital resource for scholars and students studying entrepreneurship, strategic management and business. The presentation of practical and real-world implications of research will also prove of interest to practitioners.

This informative Handbook examines successful women small business owners in both developed and emergent countries around the globe and, in particular, focuses on women entrepreneur success stories. The contributors expertly identify the issues that underpin the success of women small business owners around the globe. Each chapter provides an up-to-date, country-specific review of women?s position in employment and small business ownership and addresses the structural and contextual barriers. They also highlight two cases studies about successful women business owners, and consider strategies relating to the development of women?s business ownership by exploring practical initiatives that have worldwide transferability. International Research Handbook on Successful Women Entrepreneurs will prove essential reading for students and academics in the fields of entrepreneurship, international business and gender studies. It will also be of invaluable interest to policy-makers, government officials, and those in traditional markets who wish to understand the nature of small business ownership for women in developing and emerging countries. Contributors: T. Agarwala, M.J. Davidson, M.R. Evald, S.L. Fielden, R.T. Harrison, K.D. Hughes, J. Hussain, G. nal, D. Jamali, M. Karatas-OEzkan, K. Klyver, L. Levin, K. Lewis, N.O. Madichie, S. Marlow, B. Mathur-Helm, M.C. Mattis, M. McAdam, C. Millman, R. Naz, S.L. Nielsen, M.F. OEzbilgin, R.D. Pathak, C. Reis, J.M. Scott, A. Shuvalova, Y. Sidani, G. Singh, A.E. Smith-Hunter, J. Syed, M. Tremaine, G. Wood

Recent changes in the world economy have made the pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunity increasingly important to wealth creation. Moreover, as business schools worldwide have embraced the study of entrepreneurship, a conceptual framework for the field is beginning to emerge. This book examines the discovery, evaluation, and exploitation of opportunities to create future goods and services. It also evaluates the impact of entrepreneurial activity on individuals, firms and society at large. It will be an essential reference for students, researchers and professionals who are interested in this increasingly important field of study.

The new American Dream is doing work you love with the freedom and income to live the life you want. Thanks to the Internet, anyone can launch a business with little or no start-up capital or technical expertise. The rules have changed. The American Dream is no longer the "corner office." It's a successful lifestyle business you can run from your home, the beach, or wherever you desire. In this book, lifestyle entrepreneurship expert Scott Fox teaches weary corporate warriors and aspiring entrepreneurs how to trade the 9-5 job they hate for an online business they love. This guide explains how to combine outsourcing, software, and automated online marketing to build recurring revenues, all while working less and making fewer lifestyle compromises that corporate "success" requires. In Click Millionaires, you will learn how to: find a lucrative niche on the Internet that matches your interests and skills; choose an online business model: from blogs, online communities, digital delivery, online services, affiliate marketing and even physical products; position yourself as an expert; build your audience; design the lifestyle you want; and balance passion and profits to realize their personal definition of success. Featuring stories of dozens of "regular folks" who have reinvented themselves as "Click Millionaires", this inspiring and practical guide shows you how to stop dreaming of a better life and start living it!

This Research Handbook on Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies provides a range of contextualized perspectives on entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Featuring contributions from leading experts, it explores the various social and institutional contexts that produce and affect entrepreneurship. This Research Handbook portrays the theories, processes and practices of entrepreneurship in emerging economies as being markedly different from those in developed, post-industrial economies, emphasizing how national context shapes incentives for entrepreneurial efforts. Exploring multiple theories of entrepreneurship, chapters dissect the opportunities - and barriers - emerging from various institutions and social practices from the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. Comprehensive and incisive, this Research Handbook is an ideal guide for researchers and both undergraduate and postgraduate students working on emerging economies, particularly those with an interest in global entrepreneurship. It will also benefit policy-makers seeking to develop entrepreneurial activity in developing economies. Contributors include: M. Akoorie, A. Al Mulla, G. Anggadwita, N. Birdthistle, L.-P. Dana, B. Dye, K. Dye, A. Egbetokun, E. Elkaroui, B. Fang, H. Febriansyah, A. Flynn, A. Forouharfar, L. Galloway, J. Gibb, A. Gkikas, J.G. Hussain, A. Icha-Ituma, P.A. Igwe, O. Kolade, K.T.Z. Lwin, A. Mohsen, H. Mustafa, H. Nyugen, R. Palali , S. Pattinson, I. Peiris, T.S.H. Pham, D. Rae, V. Ramadani, L. Sarfaraz, J.M. Scott, M. Sherif, P. Sinha, M.N. Tunio, R. Wanjiru, C.W. Watson, H. Zarrouk

In a world where an increasing number of people work remotely, Invisible Work is a new skillset and framework to ensure personal and business success - from the author of The Creative Economy. Just as power has moved from boardrooms into the domain of dynamic individuals, Invisible Work maps the evolution of this new way of being and succeeding. It is a mindset of deeply focused, value-added thinking and sharing. It is a process of creativity that combines emotional intelligence and collaboration. It is the key to the success of a growing army of self-employed workers. This is an emerging field of work in which new business domains and creative endeavours are based on personal interests and digital connections. Howkins lays out a visionary framework for working practice and success. He focuses on the ways in which we think most innovatively, how we best share those private ideas, and how we make unseen connections and remain authentic while staking out our domain in a virtual world.

How to overcome barriers to the long-term investments that are essential for solving the world's biggest problems There has never been a greater need for long-term investments to tackle the world's most difficult problems, such as climate change and decaying infrastructure. And it is increasingly unlikely that the public sector will be willing or able to fill this gap. If these critical needs are to be met, the major pools of long-term, patient capital-including pensions, sovereign wealth funds, university endowments, and wealthy individuals and families-will have to play a large role. In this accessible and authoritative account of long-term capital investment, two leading experts on the subject, Harvard Business School professors Victoria Ivashina and Josh Lerner, highlight the significant hurdles facing long-term investors and propose concrete ways to overcome these difficulties. Presenting the best evidence in an engaging way by using memorable stories and examples, Patient Capital describes how large investors increasingly want and need long-run investments that have the potential to deliver greater returns than those in the public markets. Yet success in such investments has been the exception. Performance has suffered from both the limitations of investors and the internal structure of their fund managers, often resulting in the wrong incentives and a lack of long-term planning. Yet the challenges facing long-term investors can be surmounted and the rewards are potentially large, both for investors and society as a whole. Patient Capital shows how to make long-term investment work better for everyone.

This handbook is a comprehensive and up to date work of reference that offers a survey of the state of financial geography. With Brexit, a global recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as new financial technology threatening and promising to revolutionize finance, the map of the financial world is in a state of transformation, with major implications for development. With these developments in the background, this handbook builds on this unprecedented momentum and responds to these epochal challenges, offering a comprehensive guide to financial geography. Financial geography is concerned with the study of money and finance in space and time, and their impacts on economy, society and nature. The book consists of 29 chapters organized in six sections: theoretical perspectives on financial geography, financial assets and markets, investors, intermediation, regulation and governance, and finance, development and the environment. Each chapter provides a balanced overview of current knowledge, identifying issues and discussing relevant debates. Written in an analytical and engaging style by authors based on six continents from a wide range of disciplines, the work also offers reflections on where the research agenda is likely to advance in the future. The book's key audience will primarily be students and researchers in geography, urban studies, global studies and planning, more or less familiar with financial geography, who seek access to a state-of-the art survey of this area. It will also be useful for students and researchers in other disciplines, such as finance and economics, history, sociology, anthropology, politics, business studies, environmental studies and other social sciences, who seek convenient access to financial geography as a new and relatively unfamiliar area. Finally, it will be a valuable resource for practitioners in the public and private sector, including business consultants and policy-makers, who look for alternative approaches to understanding money and finance.

An accessible guide to an increasingly complex subject, Entrepreneurial Finance: Concepts and Cases demonstrates how to address often- overlooked financial issues from the entrepreneur's standpoint, including challenges faced by start-ups and small businesses. This new edition retains the original's structure, around seven modules or building blocks designed to be taught across a full semester with natural break points built into each chapter within the modules. The building blocks present macro- concepts which are explored in greater detail in each of the chapters. Each concept is illustrated by a short case and followed by thoughtful questions to enhance learning. The cases are new or fully updated for the second edition, and deal with real companies, real problems, and currently unfolding issues. A new chapter on business models includes coverage of social ventures, and the chapters on forms of business ownership and financing have been expanded. Upper- level undergraduate students of entrepreneurship will appreciate the book's practical approach and engaging tone, along with the hands- on cases and exercises that help students to break down complex concepts. Online resources for instructors include a case teaching manual, lecture slides, test bank, and interactive exercises.

As we move further into the 21st century, increasing emphasis is being placed on the importance of technology transfer. Through new research and practices, scholars, practitioners and policymakers have made great strides in broadening our understanding and ability to implement technology transfer and commercialization processes. The fruit of that research is collected in this timely volume. Technology transfer is a dynamic area of study that examines traditional topics such as intellectual property management, the management of risk, market identification, the role of public and private labs, and the role of universities. This volume reflects on how government, business and academia influence technology transfer in different countries and how the infrastructure of a country enhances technology and contributes to each country's overall economy. Interpreting and adopting the processes of technology transfer and commercialization - or, building innovative ecosystems - is critical to seeing success in this digital age. Those leading the surge toward building innovative ecosystems for technology transfer are the fellows of the Institute for Innovation Creativity and Capital (IC2 Institute) at The University of Texas at Austin. Global in its scope of solving market economy problems, for this volume the Institute has focused its lens on accelerated knowledge-based development. Here, scholars from 13 countries come together to critique technology transfer from each of their respective nations. The results of their contributions lend innovative insight to exactly how different nations are working to maximize technology transfer and commercialization in uncertain times. Those with an interest in commercialization and technology transfer, from students to scholars, practitioners to policymakers, will find this important collection of great value. Contributors: J.P. Avila, M. Bravo, J.S. Butler, J. Camilleri, C.P. Carbonara, A. Caruana, U. De Haan, M. Fukushima, K. Gachigi, D.V. Gibson, B. Golany, P.G. Greene, M. Heitor, R. Hodgson, B.-J. Kang, C.M. Kiamba, M.F. Korpi, P. Kukubo, M. LeGare, D.-S. Oh, M.P. Rice, N. Rogalev, D. Trzmielak, L. Xue, L. Zhou

Entrepreneurial Complexity: Methods and Applications deals with theoretical and practical results of Entrepreneurial Sciences and Management (ESM), emphasising qualitative and quantitative methods. ESM has been a modern and exciting research field in which methods from various disciplines have been applied. However, the existing body of literature lacks the proper use of mathematical and formal models; individuals who perform research in this broad interdisciplinary area have been trained differently. In particular, they are not used to solving business-oriented problems mathematically. This book utilises formal techniques in ESM as an advantage for developing theories and models which are falsifiable. Features Discusses methods for defining and measuring complexity in entrepreneurial sciences Summarises new technologies and innovation-based techniques in entrepreneurial sciences Outlines new formal methods and complexity-models for entrepreneurship To date no book has been dedicated exclusively to use formal models in Entrepreneurial Sciences and Management

Social entrepreneurs are change makers that aim to solve society's unsolved problems. Not surprisingly, social entrepreneurship has thus created high expectations. To better understand the potential as well as the limitations of social entrepreneurship, however, a more nuanced approach is needed in two ways. First, social entrepreneurship is a multi-level phenomenon. It spans macro-level questions as well as meso-level questions and, finally, micro-level questions. If we really want to understand social entrepreneurship, we need to bring together all three levels of analysis and see how they are connected. Second, while social entrepreneurship can certainly produce socially desirable outcomes, we also need a critical perspective to capture potential undesirable effects that social entrepreneurship can cause, often unintendedly, in society, in markets, in organizations, and for individuals. To this end, an ethical perspective can help complement the positive analysis of social entrepreneurship with a discussion of the normative implications of its potential "dark side". Looking at social entrepreneurship from both a multi-level analysis and an ethical perspective, Social Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics takes the reader on a journey through the "bright side" as well as the potential "dark side" of social entrepreneurship for societies, organizations, and individuals. Highlighting both, this book not only seeks to provoke researchers and students to advance their understanding of social entrepreneurship. It also hopes to help practitioners to better realize the positive contributions of social entrepreneurship for society.

This book explores the development of the rapidly evolving field of entrepreneurial learning by bringing together contributions from an international team of researchers, who offer new understanding of its emerging development and its potential scope for the future. Using the three domains of theory, education, and learning-in-practice, this book offers differing and complementary perspectives on entrepreneurial learning: Conceptual work which reviews and summarises prior work in the field and advances theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial learning research, enabling a review of the development of research in this area over time. Applied work around entrepreneurship education which develops understanding of teaching and learning practices in educational and institutional contexts. Exploration of learning in 'real' business contexts, including new venture creation, family business and small business development, and 'intrapreneurial' learning in larger organisations. Using global perspectives, originating from the different cultural contexts of the USA, UK, Nordic and Chinese perspectives, the chapters converge to address issues, questions and opportunities for the future development of entrepreneurial learning. This book will be of interest to educators and researchers in the areas of entrepreneurship, enterprise education and entrepreneurial development, as well as policy makers and business advice and support agencies.

With the shift of the global economic gravity toward emerging economies and the roaring economic growth of the past three decades in China, East Asian catching-up growth strategies have profound implications for latecomer economies. While there are many handbooks on entrepreneurship in general, there is no reference on East Asian entrepreneurship. This is the first of its kinds in the market. The volume provides a useful reference for those who want to know East Asian entrepreneurship and business systems. It also provides many excellent cases and illustrations on the growth of entrepreneurial firms and the rise of branded products in East Asia. Policy makers or scholars who are interested in entrepreneurship, small and medium sized enterprises, Asian business systems, international business, innovation and technology management, economic development, strategic management and East Asian studies would benefit from this volume. The volume contains two parts. The first part is the key concepts associate with entrepreneurship and East Asian firm growth and transformation. The second part presents cases of entrepreneurial firms and their founders in East Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. With the handbook, scholars, students and policy makers can grab some basic ideas how entrepreneurs and firms in East Asia compete and survive in the world market and understand why and how East Asia economies can emerge as one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Part I concepts: relating to Entrepreneurship: Guanxi Catching-up strategies Types of entrepreneurship Business System Strategic Management Leadership Part II cases cover variedly from manufacturing to services industries, and specifically including traditional and newly corporations ranging from toys, convenient stores, fast fashion, high-tech, to catering and service. Written by experts in their respective areas, Handbook of East Asia entrepreneurship is an excellent review of theories, policies and empirical evidences on important topics in Entrepreneurship in East Asian economic development. The book is both a superb teaching tool and a valuable handbook in development economics.

Social Innovation: Comparative Perspectives investigates socio-economic impact. Since it is hard to establish causality and to measure social properties when investigating impact, especially at the level of society, the book narrows down impact to one priority aspect: social innovation - understood as organizations' capacity to generate novel ideas, ways and means of doing things, of addressing public and social problems of many kinds. This volume's primary assertion is that the Third Sector, specifically through stimulating civic involvement, is best placed to produce social innovation, outperforming business firms and state agencies in this regard. By investigating actor contributions to social innovation across seven fields of activity, Social innovation: Comparative Perspectives develops our understanding of why and how the Third Sector is central to functioning, cohesive and viable societies. This volume is based on contributions of the project "ITSSOIN - Impact of the Third Sector as Social Innovation" funded by the European Commission under the 7th framework programme. It will be of insight across disciplines, in particular to the growing social innovation community, innovation researchers more generally and to non-profit scholars. The practical relevance of the book will be of interest to European and national policy makers and practitioners across different sectors.

Within mainstream scholarship, it's assumed without question that entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education are desirable and positive economic activities. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical approaches and political-philosophical perspectives, critical entrepreneurship studies has emerged to ask the questions which this assumption obscures. Students of entrepreneurship need to understand why and how entrepreneurship is seen as a moral force which can solve social problems or protect the environment, or even to tackle political problems. It is time to evaluate how such contributions and insights have entered our classrooms. How much - if any - critical discussion and insight enters our classrooms? How do we change when students demand to be taught "how to do it", not to be critical or reflexive? If educators are to bring alternative perspectives into the classroom, it will entail a new way of thinking. There is a need to share ideas and practical approaches, and that is what the contributions to this volume aim to do and to illuminate new ways forward in entrepreneurship education.

Recent years have witnessed massive development in both the venture capital market and in academic research relating to this market. The aims of this timely collection are to identify leading contributions to this developing area from the past two decades; to reflect the growing multi-disciplinarity of research on venture capital; and to highlight the need to recognize international differences in venture capital markets. The editors have written an authoritative overview, signaling where venture capital research has come and where it is going. This is a vital collection of writings for those wanting to become familiar with venture capital research.

In this unique and timely volume, Scott Shane systematically explains the formation of university spinoff companies and their role in the commercialization of university technology and wealth creation in the United States and elsewhere. The importance of university spinoff activity is discussed and the historical development of university spinoff ventures is traced over time. Scott Shane provides in-depth analysis of the four major factors that jointly influence spinoff activity: the university and societal environment, the technology developed at universities, the industries in which spinoffs operate, and the people involved. He documents the process of company creation, focusing on the formation of spinoffs, the transformation of the spinoff's technology into new products and services, the identification and exploitation of a market for these new products and services and the acquisition of financial resources. Also detailed are the factors that enhance and inhibit the performance of university spinoffs, as well as the effect that they have on the institutions that spawn them. Authoritative and highly readable, this volume will appeal to scholars researching the spinoff phenomenon, university technology transfer officers, inventors, policymakers, external entrepreneurs and investors.

The boutique hotel trend shows no sign of slowing down with stylish lodgings popping up everywhere for any budget. More than just a shelter for trippers to rest their tired heads, contemporary boltholes are also meant to be social clubs, gallery space, and a gateway to local culture and stories. Some may even aspire to become an attraction themselves, offering one-of-a-kind hideaways to add an extra layer to travellers' short stays. From conception to delivery, BRANDLife: Boutique Hotels & Hostels examine how new boltholes foreground branding and interiors in their business concepts, visible in their furniture selections, wayfinding systems, visual identities and more. Through case studies, colourful showcases and interviews with leading hoteliers and brand specialists, readers will acquire a rare insight into how these visionaries corner the market and remarkably connect customers from around the world.

This book highlights the role of entrepreneurship, social capital and governance for regional economic development. In recent decades, many researchers have claimed that entrepreneurship is the most critical factor in sustaining regional economic growth. However, most entrepreneurship research is undertaken without considering the fundamental importance of the regional context. Other research has emphasized the role of social capital but there are substantial problems in empirically relating measures of social capital to regional economic development.The expert contributors to this work highlight the role of governance in regional growth, an area that has so far been relatively under-researched, underpinning their findings with new theoretical and empirical evidence. They conclude that the relationship between entrepreneurship, social capital and governance in factors affecting regional economic development are complex and interdependent, and that to influence these factors and the relationship between them, policymakers must have a long-term perspective and be both patient and persistent in their efforts. This enlightening book will be of great interest to academics, students and researchers across a range of fields including regional science, regional economics, economic geography, regional planning, public policy, entrepreneurship, political science and economic sociology. Policymakers involved in regional policymaking from national down to regional and local levels will also find the book to be an illuminating read. Contributors include: T. Arvemo, P. Assmo, I. Bernhard, N. Carbonara, M. Cesario, G.A.S. Cook, J.L. Crespo-Espert, L.P. Dana, M.T. de Noronha, S. Doh, A. Garcia-Tabuenca, U. Grasjoe, K.E. Haynes, D.G. Ierapetirits, C. Karlsson, D. Lagos, H. Lawton Smith, M. Morehart, K. Nystroem, F.- Pablo-Marti, H. Qian, J.A. Riseth, S. Romeo, P. Stenberg, S.C. Turner, H. Westlund, E. Wihlborg, E.J. Zolnik