Transitional entrepreneurship: Elevating research into marginalized entrepreneurs

Abstract

Socially, institutionally, culturally, or resourcefully marginalized entrepreneurial actors pursuing new ventures to achieve positional advancement hold valuable theory development potential. We refer to this emerging conceptual domain as Transitional Entrepreneurship (TE). In this thematic issue, we present seven articles united under the umbrella of TE, to introduce the domain and its conceptual boundaries. These articles, individually, study different marginalized groups but collectively provide a platform to explore TE, distinguish it from related but distinct topics, and illuminate its numerous implications for research and practice moving forward. These articles about transitional entrepreneurs differ in geography, social class, culture, race, and gender. However, the adversity faced by TEs is not unique to any one group; by considering them collectively we seek to advance knowledge about venturing in the face of social, economic, cultural, and institutional adversity.

Building self-determination of disadvantaged groups: insights from an entrepreneurship focused program for refugees

“…The findings extend transitional (Pidduck and Clarke, 2021;Jones and Ram, 2021) and restorative views of entrepreneurship (Wainwright and Munoz, 2020) by introducing three mechanisms that support the process of capacity building, enabling a broad cohort of refugees to live with greater dignity. They show how entrepreneurship focused programs build entrepreneurial intention, the autonomous thought and behaviour needed to pursue one's own goals; proximal ties, the close at hand trusting relationships essential during the uncertainty of starting a business; and contextual legitimacy, the favourable social appraisals that lead to local support for refugee businesses.…”

The malleability of international entrepreneurial cognitions: a natural quasi-experimental study on voluntary and involuntary shocks

“…Focusing on cognition changes could help researchers better understand the effect of their interventions and build better theoretical models for education initiatives. Further, policy makers may consider these findings: education initiatives are a valid defense against the impact of systemic instabilities and forms of adversity often undermining entrepreneurial cognitions (Pidduck and Clark, 2021). If entrepreneurs are the way out of economic downturn (Jakob, 2013; Aceytuno et al.…”

The Need for Modification: The Impact of COVID-19 on Pitch Competitions

“…Entrepreneurial mindset (EM) is a concept that has taken center stage in recent times (Winkler et al . , 2021; Pidduck et al . , 2021; McGrath & MacMillan, 2000; Daspit et al .…”

“…A particular question that needs asking is whether entrepreneurial educators practice what they preach in terms of entrepreneurial resilience. Resilience is essential in entrepreneurial success because it allows marginalized groups to gain economic advantages that they would not normally have if not for entrepreneurship (Nisula & Olander, 2020; Pidduck & Clark, 2021). Therefore, like other entrepreneurial skills and desires, scholars have wondered about the extent to which educators pass these skills to their students (Hulsink & Rauch, 2021; Kaffka et al, 2021).…”

“…Entrepreneurs must have a growth mindset that is robust, dynamic, adaptive, and guided by the principles of the social-cognitive model of self-regulated entrepreneurial learning (SREL), to be successful (Amato et al, 2017;Gielnik et al, 2020;Zimmerman, 2000Zimmerman, , 2006. Pidduck et al (2021) explain the relationship between entrepreneurial behavior and EM and its significance not only in the areas of organizational research (Carsrud & Brännback, 2009;Krueger, 2009;McGrath & MacMillan, 2000;McMullen & Shepherd, 2006) but also in education (Daniel, 2016;Solesvik et al, 2013). Researchers have recently linked EM to entrepreneurs' emotional aspects and personality traits (Kuratko et al, 2020;Naumann, 2017).…”