To read this content please select one of the options below:

Walking a tightrope between artistry and entrepreneurship: The stories of the Hotel Woodpecker, Otter Inn and Luna Resort

Karin Berglund (School of Business, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden)
Maria Dahlin (School of Business, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden)
Anders W. Johansson (School of Business, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden)

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy

ISSN: 1750-6204

Article publication date: 21 August 2007

817

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge a traditional image of the content of entrepreneurship, which is associated with creativity, identity and discovery recognition.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative approach is used in telling the story about the artist/entrepreneur Mikael Genberg. The story is based on interviews, newspaper material and observations. Taking this story as the point of departure, an alternative image of entrepreneurship is suggested.

Findings

First, from a traditional Schumpeterian perspective Genberg could be portrayed as a good example of a hero entrepreneur, an archetype of the creative artist/entrepreneur. Instead Genberg in this paper is described in terms of a creative imitator. Second, the Schumpeterian “hero entrepreneur” is associated with a fixed and strong identity. This picture is challenged and replaced by a demonstration of how double or multiple identities are used in legitimizing work which is argued to be more illustrative to the content of entrepreneurship than finding the true identity of the hero entrepreneur. Third, discovery recognition from a traditional perspective is attributed to the individual, while in this case opportunity creation signifies the process of making discoveries collectively shared.

Research limitations/implications

This study is exploratory and based on a single case, while the results cannot be taken as generalizations. Instead an alternative understanding of the content of entrepreneurship is illustrated.

Originality/value

The value of this study is the demonstration of an alternative image of the content of entrepreneurship.

Keywords

Citation

Berglund, K., Dahlin, M. and Johansson, A.W. (2007), "Walking a tightrope between artistry and entrepreneurship: The stories of the Hotel Woodpecker, Otter Inn and Luna Resort", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 268-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506200710779567

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles