Wilson, Nick and Martin, Lee (2015) Entrepreneurial opportunities for all? Entrepreneurial capability and the Capabilities Approach. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 16 (3). pp. 159-169. doi:10.5367/ijei.2015.0189 ISSN 1465-7503.

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Abstract

This paper considers the freedom of each and every one of us to choose to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities – that is, to practise entrepreneurship – should we wish to do so. Drawing on the Capabilities Approach, a novel conceptualization of entrepreneurial capability is put forward as the individual freedom to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity within one's environment. In shifting analytical attention away from empirical cases of entrepreneurs (that is, those identified post hoc with successfully pursuing an entrepreneurial opportunity) and exploring the potential (or otherwise) of any individual to pursue entrepreneurship in theory, we are forced to ask what is specific about entrepreneurial opportunities and whether they can be pursued by anyone. Our resulting conception of entrepreneurial capability introduces seven universal and necessary conditions for this distinctive type of freedom to be present. The significance of this conceptualization of entrepreneurial capability for entrepreneurship theory and economic and human development policy is discussed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts > Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies > Centre for Cultural Policy Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Entrepreneurship , Capabilities approach (Social sciences), Opportunity
Journal or Publication Title:	The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Publisher:	IP Publishing
ISSN:	1465-7503
Official Date:	1 August 2015
Dates:	Date Event 1 August 2015 Published
Volume:	16
Number:	3
Page Range:	pp. 159-169
DOI:	10.5367/ijei.2015.0189
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	5 September 2016
Date of first compliant Open Access:	5 September 2016

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