Identity, identity formation and identity work in entrepreneurship: conceptual developments and empirical applications

Abstract

This paper reviews the current status of research into entrepreneurial identity. Identities -individual and organisational -can potentially serve as powerful elements that both drive and are shaped by entrepreneurial actions. Identity is, of course, a complex construct with multidisciplinary roots and consequentially a range of conceptual meanings and theoretical roles associated with it. Building on a framework for identifying schools of thought in the social sciences, we highlight the need for more critical studies of entrepreneurial identity that recognise, first, that entrepreneurial identity is a dynamic and fluid rather than (relatively) fixed and unchanging feature, and second, that research attention should shift from the analysis of identity per se (the identity-as-entity position) to the identity work processes through which entrepreneurial identities are shaped and formed (the identity-asprocess position). Following a summary of the key contributions of the five papers included in this Special Issue we conclude with some pointers for future research.

Identity, Enactment, and Entrepreneurship Engagement in a Declining Place

“…Identity is no longer regarded as essentialist or stable, but described by dynamic, fluid, and often contradictory processes (Hytti 2005). With identity increasingly viewed as fluid, then claim Leitch and Harrison (2016), the research focus must shift to the processes of identity formation. Moreover, individuals are seen to have multiple, socially constructed identities (Ibarra and Barbulescu 2010).…”

Enabling Social Identity Interaction: Bulgarian Migrant Entrepreneurs Building Embeddedness into a Transnational Network

“…Parallel calls are made by Haslam () and Van Dick (). Furthermore, others requested more research that recognizes entrepreneurial identity as ‘dynamic and fluid rather than (relatively) fixed and unchanging feature’, as well as more insight on the ‘processes through which entrepreneurial identities are shaped and formed’ (Leitch and Harrison, , p. 177). By illuminating the process of identity signals’ circulation between incumbents and candidates, the paper facilitates understanding the dialogic identity construction dynamics – referred by Leitch and Harrison (, p. 182) as a ‘major opportunity for research’.…”

Accounting Active Learning dan Hasil Pembelajarannya: Studi Kasus pada Universitas Berbasis Kewirausahaan

“…Identitas diri pendiri menjadi penting karena identitas pendiri akan menjadi arah bagi identitas perusahaan (Leitch & Harrison, 2016 Peran orangtua dapat berasal dari jenis pola didikan yang diterapkan orangtua untuk mendidik anaknya (Tam et al, 2012;Lin & Billingham, 2014 …”