Entrepreneurship: an organisational learning approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed new light on the interface between learning and entrepreneurship, i.e. to show how entrepreneurship can be studied as a never‐ending, dynamic learning process.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying the typology of learning concepts at different organisational levels, the paper will elucidate how the entrepreneur's learning process is fundamental in his quest for new business opportunities and describe learning as a crucial factor for entrepreneurial activity.

Findings

From observations, a new definition of the entrepreneur is derived (entrepreneur as a learner) and a conceptual model of entrepreneurial learning theory is synthesized.

Research limitations/implications

The newly developed conceptual model has not been empirically validated. In terms of the guidelines for future research, this topic should be addressed by collecting information to expand the conceptual model presented here.

Originality/value

Key entrepreneurial learning components are identified and included in the model: intuiting and interpreting, external motivation, alertness and creativeness. The paper concludes with some theoretical ideas on what may influence the entrepreneur's learning and which entrepreneurship educators are suitable for empirical evaluation in future research.

Citation

Franco, M. and Haase, H. (2009), "Entrepreneurship: an organisational learning approach", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 628-641. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626000911000965