A Reconsideration of the Theory of Entrepreneurship: A participatory approach

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to further the understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurial success and organisational form. The role of entrepreneurship in the neoclassical, Austrian and competence theory approaches is analysed and five recurring themes are identified: the tacit nature of knowledge relevant for entrepreneurial activity; the presence of tacit knowledge at both the individual and organisational levels; the articulation of tacit knowledge through social processes; the distinction between the entrepreneur and the capitalist; and the motivation for engaging in entrepreneurial activity. Characteristics of the organisational context that emerge as necessary for entrepreneurial success are set out, an organisational framework promoting generalised participation in entrepreneurial activity is outlined and this is then evaluated in comparison with a capitalist system.

Developing communities of innovation by identifying innovation champions

“…Authors such as Adaman and Devine (2002) suggest that entrepreneurship is founded in social interaction occurring within and outside the organisation, and Churchman (1971) proposes that knowledge sharing processes may effect the creation of new potentials for action. In this paper we advance the notion that a critical aspect of the entrepreneurial role is the development of knowledge sharing communities where innovation may be incubated and entrepreneurship …”

W stronę demokracji ekonomicznej. Między socjalizmem rynkowym a demokratycznym planowaniem.

“…Co więcej, produkcja w socjalizmie może być bardziej efektywna niż w kapitalizmie (Devine 2002). Brytyjski ekonomista -podobnie jak Malesson, Jossa i inni zwolennicy socjalizmu rynkowego sądzi, że konieczna jest wymiana rynkowa pomiędzy kooperatywami pracowniczymi i innymi przedsiębiorstwami.…”

The limits to participatory planning: a reply to Adaman and Devine

“…There is no denying that majorities can sometimes innovate, as Adaman and Devine (2002) explore at some length, but they simply ignore the implications of their proposed curtailment of innovations that do not obtain majority approval.…”

“…Legitimate individual or group autonomy is thereby endangered.-1 -Several years ago, Pat Devine (1988) proposed a model of a socialist economy involving democratic participatory planning. This was later developed with Fikret Adaman in several joint works (Adaman and Devine, 1996, 1997, 2002. This was a very welcome effort, as attempts by socialists to lay out in detail how socialism actually might work in practiceincluding how economic decisions of production and allocation are madeare very rare.However, I took the view that the proposals by Adaman and Devine were insufficiently clear in operational terms, based on a faulty understanding of the role of tacit knowledge in the economy, and would stifle innovation (Hodgson, 1998(Hodgson, , 1999.…”

“…-1 -Several years ago, Pat Devine (1988) proposed a model of a socialist economy involving democratic participatory planning. This was later developed with Fikret Adaman in several joint works (Adaman and Devine, 1996, 1997, 2002. This was a very welcome effort, as attempts by socialists to lay out in detail how socialism actually might work in practiceincluding how economic decisions of production and allocation are madeare very rare.…”