Facing the future through entrepreneurship theory: A prospective inquiry framework

Muñoz, P.; Dimov, D.

doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106303

Facing the future through entrepreneurship theory: A prospective inquiry framework

Muñoz, P.; Dimov, D.

Authors

Professor Pablo Munoz pablo.munoz-roman@durham.ac.uk
Professor

D. Dimov

Abstract

In this paper, we address a thorny challenge: how can entrepreneurship scholarship enhance its impact without compromising the pursuit of conceptual rigor and theoretical novelty? We propose a prospective inquiry framework for entrepreneurship. It aims to align the scholarly pursuit of theoretical novelty with the entrepreneurs' focus on the future, in a shared aspiration to make a difference in the world. By expanding the focus of theoretical work toward the future, scholarship can focus on the formulation, exploration, and evaluation of alternatives to the present, as theories for desired futures. Prospective inquiry retains the primacy of theorizing while expanding its purpose, value, and use in entrepreneurship research, unleashing its generative power. It opens new spaces for theoretical excellence, dissolves the research-practice gap, and allows researchers and practitioners to theorize and enact their aspirations for the future.

Citation

Muñoz, P., & Dimov, D. (2023). Facing the future through entrepreneurship theory: A prospective inquiry framework. Journal of Business Venturing, 38(4), Article 106303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106303

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Mar 20, 2023
Online Publication Date	Mar 31, 2023
Publication Date	2023-07
Deposit Date	Mar 20, 2023
Publicly Available Date	May 16, 2023
Journal	Journal of Business Venturing
Print ISSN	0883-9026
Electronic ISSN	1873-2003
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	38
Issue	4
Article Number	106303
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106303
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1179369