Bourdieu’s non-material forms of capital: Implications for start-up policy

Abstract

The role of Bourdieu's non-material forms of capital (cultural, social and symbolic) in the entrepreneurial process has received little dedicated research attention. Similarly, the link between occupationally distinct entrepreneurship and accumulation of non-material capitals is understudied. Addressing this, we examine the non-material capitals of different nascent entrepreneurs by occupational classification who participated on two enterprise-training programmes funded by the 1997-2010 Labour Government; each with considerably different foci. Findings demonstrate that professional and higher technician entrepreneurs possess valuable non-material capitals, in contrast to non-professional entrepreneurs. Against the backdrop of recent business enterprise policy, findings suggest that policy-makers should prioritise focused support that nurtures the valuable, productive non-material capitals of professional and higher technician entrepreneurs. Furthermore, initiatives should be tailored to improve the less distinguished non-material capitals of non-professional entrepreneurs.

Consumption field driven entrepreneurship (CFDE)

“…We adopt a Bourdieuan perspective which posits that "[w]hen entrepreneurs are embedded in contexts that are particularly limited in economic resources or rich in other forms of capital, their venture creation and growth is creatively pursued through interaction of non-economic forms of capital" (Drakopoulou- Dodd et al, 2016: 125). Aligned with prior studies (Drakopoulou- Dodd et al, 2014;Lee and Shaw, 2016;Pret et al, 2015;Tatli et al, 2014;Scott, 2012), we highlight the importance of non-financial resources (i.e., cultural and social capital) in the entrepreneurial journey. In particular, we complement prior work by employing Bourdieu's (1984) concept of illusio, in order to better explain how indie music entrepreneurs adopt, internalise and assign value to a field-specific worldview which is marked by the authenticity discourses of the indie music field such as DIY aesthetics and passion-driven activities and practices (Arsel and Thompson, 2011;Hesmondhalgh, 1999;Skandalis et al, 2017).…”

“…In entrepreneurship research, there is currently an emerging interest in Bourdieu's capital theory in order to better understand the entrepreneurial process (e.g., Drakopoulou-Dodd, McDonald, McElwee, and Smith 2014;Lee and Shaw, 2016;Pret, Shaw, and Drakopoulou Dodd, 2015;Tatli et al, 2014;Scott, 2012). More specifically, contemporary studies adopt a wide perspective on capital and focus more on the role of non-material forms of capital (i.e., cultural, social, symbolic), their mobilisation, convertibility, and the variety of ways in which different forms of capital enable entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.…”

“…In most contemporary entrepreneurship studies, individual forms of capital are not overemphasised; it is the mobilisation, convertibility and interplay between different forms of capital that is considered crucial in order to be able to recognise, act upon, and further develop entrepreneurial opportunities (Light and Dana, 2013). For example, Lee and Shaw (2016) find that entrepreneurs can accumulate social capital from personal bonding ties and peer-interactions and suggest that entrepreneurs might also convert social capital into economic capital, e.g., by receiving 'informal loans' from friends in order to finance their businesses. Further, evidence from the context of cultural and creative industries in the United Kingdom reveals that craft entrepreneurs can easily convert different forms of capital available to them in both economic and non-economic value (Pret et al, 2015).…”

Habitus emerging: The development of hybrid logics and collaborative business models in the Irish craft beer sector

“…A locality's shared socio-economic structures and capitals impact upon the patterns of entrepreneurial practice which are enacted therein (Lee and Shaw, 2016), and locality plays a crucial role in the emergence and enactment of habitus, often in interplay with other fields that influence the community of entrepreneurs and related others (McKeever et al, 2014;Gaddefors and Anderson, 2017).…”

The process of embedding a small firm in its industrial context

“…Secondly, this study highlights the value of cultural and symbolic capital, which has largely been overlooked (exceptions include: Lee and Shaw, 2016;Pret et al, 2015). Based on longitudinal observations of networking activities, this article provides new insights into the ways in which founders and their employees practise networking and access the benefits contained within their networks over time.…”