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Wicked problems, reductive tendency, and the formation of (non-)opportunity beliefs

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  • Gras, David
  • Conger, Michael
  • Jenkins, Anna
  • Gras, Michael

Abstract

•The nature of wicked problems affects how beliefs about solving them are formed.•Entrepreneurs are prone to oversimplifying the complex nature of wicked problems.•We introduce “problem uncertainty” as a way to understand (non-)opportunity beliefs.•The reductive tendency makes wicked problems seem easier to solve.•The reductive tendency and its consequences are attenuated by knowledge.

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  • Gras, David & Conger, Michael & Jenkins, Anna & Gras, Michael, 2020. "Wicked problems, reductive tendency, and the formation of (non-)opportunity beliefs," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:35:y:2020:i:3:s0883902617305827
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2019.105966
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    Cited by:

    1. Ramoglou, Stratos, 2021. "Knowable opportunities in an unknowable future? On the epistemological paradoxes of entrepreneurship theory," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    2. Fernhaber, Stephanie A. & Zou, Huan, 2022. "Advancing societal grand challenge research at the interface of entrepreneurship and international business: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(5).
    3. Davidsson, Per & Grégoire, Denis A. & Lex, Maike, 2021. "Venture Idea Assessment (VIA): Development of a needed concept, measure, and research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(5).
    4. Stratos Ramoglou & William B. Gartner, 2023. "A Historical Intervention in the “Opportunity Wars†: Forgotten Scholarship, the Discovery/Creation Disruption, and Moving Forward by Looking Backward," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1521-1538, July.
    5. Per Davidsson, 2023. "Ditching Discovery-Creation for Unified Venture Creation Research," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(2), pages 594-612, March.
    6. To, Chester K.M. & Castillo, Agustin Carrilero & Berenguer, Klaus Jurgen Ulrich & Chau, K.P., 2021. "Riding on an entrepreneurial intention cycle? Explaining bidirectional spillover between volition and motivation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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