One of the most challenging tasks in the research design process is choosing the most appropriate data collection and analysis technique. This Handbook provides a detailed introduction to five qualitative data collection and analysis techniques pertinent to exploring entrepreneurial phenomena. Techniques for collecting and analyzing data are rarely addressed in detail in published articles. In addition, the constant development of new tools and refinement of existing ones has meant that researchers often face a confusing range from which to choose. The experienced and expert group of contributors to this book provide detailed, practical accounts of how to conduct research employing focus groups, critical incident technique, repertory grids, metaphors, the constant comparative method and grounded theory. This Handbook will become the starting point for any research project. Scholars new to entrepreneurship and doctoral students as well as established academics keen to extend their research scope will find this book an invaluable and timely resource. Contributors: A.R. Anderson, C. Bjursell, A. Bollingtoft, E. Chell, E. Diaz de Leon, C. Dima, S. Drakopoulou Dodd, P. Guild, A. Hagedorn, R.T. Harrison, F.M. Hill, S.L. Jack, R.G. Klapper, A. de Koning, C.M. Leitch, E. McKeever, S. Moult, H. Neergaard, R. Newby, R. Smith, S.M. Smith, G. Soutar, J. Watson

Most leadership research has been undertaken in corporate contexts and little attention has been given to leadership development in entrepreneurial and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This book argues that the study of entrepreneurs as leaders is a gap in both the leadership and the entrepreneurship literatures. The impact of leaders is a crucial factor in the success or failure of smaller entrepreneurial firms and has implications for our understanding of new venture viability and growth. Featuring conceptual and empirical chapters from a wide range of cultures and entrepreneurship and leadership ecosystems, this Research Handbook is the first of its kind to present a systematic overview of the entrepreneurial leadership field, providing a state-of-the-art perspective and highlighting unanswered questions and opportunities for further research. It consolidates existing theory development, stimulates new conceptual thinking and includes path-breaking empirical explorations. With its international perspective illustrating the practice of entrepreneurial leadership in a wide range of organizational contexts, the Research Handbook on Entrepreneurship and Leadership offers an essential reference to students and researchers in entrepreneurship and leadership alike. Contributors: A. Bagheri, S. Barnes, R.G. Bell, M. Brannback, A. Carsrud, M.-H. Chen, M.H. Cone, J. Croad, A. Gibb, E. Hamilton, P. Harrison, R. Harrison, G. Haskins, O.M. Hatem, S. Kempster, D.F. Kuratko, C. Leitch, A. Lincoln, M. McAdam, S. Mueller, Z.A.L. Pihie, D. Rae, M. Renko, M.A. Roomi, A. Roeschke, L. Schjoedt, C. Skaveniti, R. Smith, S. Smith, V. Stead, V. Tzoumpa, V.S. Valencia, T. Volery, J.L. Whittington, H. Zhang

This title was first published in 2003. The book covers the areas of: entrepreneurship and economic development; entrepreneurship theories (traditional and alternative); entrepreneurship education and training programmes; a comparative European analysis of entrepreneurship programmes; a profile of the aspiring entrepreneur; assessing effectiveness; and a framework for the design and development of entrepreneurship training programmes. Readers should gain a significant insight into the effectiveness of entrepreneurship training programmes from both the programme providers' and participants' point of view. Key features of the book include: an up-to-date review of the literature in this field; a comparative analysis of entrepreneurship programmes with a European perspective; an in-depth treatment of the effectiveness issue both on a qualitative and quantitative basis, and a longitudinal study involving a control and comparator group. The framework proposed by the authors should be applicable on a European scale.