This insightful book explores the importance and influence of contextual heterogeneity in the field of entrepreneurship research, illuminating the circumstances, conditions or environments that may enable or constrain entrepreneurship. Expert contributors present the results of empirical studies in a wide variety of contexts, describing their depth and meaning both for entrepreneurship research and practice. Chapters illustrate a range of topics and research methods, including business model innovation in start-up companies, the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in STEM, and the use of technology signalling in explaining the performance of immigrant entrepreneurship in market economies. Presenting new scientific evidence in the field, together with research-informed policy and practical implications, the book demonstrates that a multitude of research approaches must be used to reflect the multi-dimensional nature of context in entrepreneurship. Warning against simplistic interpretations and superficial conclusions of research, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for scholars and students of entrepreneurship. Its use of empirical studies will also be beneficial for practitioners in this field.

Sustainable entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems research is ever evolving and this timely book stimulates further exploration, offering a research agenda and alternative approaches. Presenting new scientific evidence together with policy and other practical implications, chapters demonstrate the vibrancy and diversity of approaches in the field. Chapters on sustainable entrepreneurship analyse the circular economy, entrepreneurial decision-making logics, the drivers of eco-process innovations and strategic sustainability decision-making. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are investigated through discussion of different ecosystem orientations as factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour. This thought-provoking book concludes with consideration of the conditions predicting entrepreneurial activity or behaviour, including family background and the growth of social and commercial SMEs. This book's up-to-date analysis and practical insight will prove invaluable to scholars and researchers in entrepreneurship as well as other business and management academics, policy-makers and practitioners.

The applied nature of the field of entrepreneurship means it is crucial for scholars and researchers to connect with practitioners to ensure that their work has an impact on real-world activity. This insightful book examines the need to bridge the gap between scientific rigour in entrepreneurship research and its practical relevance to external stakeholders, and demonstrates clearly how this can be achieved in practice. Featuring cutting-edge research, Rigour and Relevance in Entrepreneurship Research, Resources and Outcomes presents and evaluates current critical approaches in the field, analysing their theoretical value and their relevance to policy and practice. Chapters examine these approaches through the lens of specific issues and circumstances such as intrapreneurship, freelancing, crowdfunding, family firms and technology-based start-ups, providing a variety of perspectives and exemplifying how pragmatic questions can productively influence research agendas. This book's up-to-date analysis and practical insight will prove invaluable to scholars and researchers in entrepreneurship as well as other business and management academics. Students at all levels in these fields will also find it useful for considering future research.

Entrepreneurship education is an area of growing importance within entrepreneurship research. This book critically discusses innovation and entrepreneurship in new and varied contexts in Europe. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education explores the need for researching innovation and learning in family firms, micro firms, SMEs and in rural and network contexts. The chapters offer new insights into the antecedents of business performance in SMEs by investigating social capital and marketing capabilities. The book includes a new typology for analysing entrepreneurship education programmes, discusses opportunities in embedding entrepreneurship in teacher education and explores entrepreneurship in the informal learning arenas in universities. This book includes a wide range of studies from different analytical and methodological perspectives and from various regional and industrial contexts. As such, it is a valuable tool for advanced students wishing to gain an overview of research on European entrepreneurship. Researchers in entrepreneurship would also benefit from the up-to-date research analysis in this book. Contributors include: L. Aaboen, T. Aadland, K. Axelsson, D. Aylward, M. Belarouci, R. Blackburn, A. De Massis, V. Francois, U. Hytti, S. Joensuu-Salo, E.J.B. Jorgensen, F. Kelliher, S. Kettunen, K. Kohtakangas, C. Lafaye, E. Laveren, M. Markowska, L. Mathisen, P. Parkkari, L. Reinl, P. Rovelli, K. Sorama, F. Welter, M. Westerberg

This book provides an invaluable, state-of-the-art overview of current European research in the field of entrepreneurship. It focuses on four themes, each of which illustrates a key dimension in the overall theme: * entrepreneurs and their role in entrepreneurship * entrepreneurship in family businesses * performance of new ventures and * entrepreneurial processes. Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Growth and Performance is written from various perspectives by eminent academics with different methodological approaches. It is an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars and students as well as consultants and policymakers with an interest in entrepreneurship and small businesses.