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Re-reading entrepreneurship in the hidden economy: commercial or social entrepreneurs?

Author

Listed:
  • Colin C. Williams
  • Sara Nadin

Abstract

Since the turn of the millennium, a small but growing stream of the entrepreneurship literature has drawn attention to how a large proportion of entrepreneurs start-up their enterprises operating in the hidden economy on a wholly or partially off-the-books basis. This paper evaluates critically the assumption that these hidden entrepreneurs are engaged in commercial entrepreneurship. Reporting evidence from a 2002-2003 survey involving interviews with 28 early-stage entrepreneurs operating in the hidden economy in English rural localities, the finding is that hidden entrepreneurs range from rational economic actors pursuing a purely commercial goal through to purely social entrepreneurs pursuing solely social logics, with the majority somewhere in-between combining both commercial and social goals. The outcome is a call to begin mapping the heterogeneous logics of hidden entrepreneurs in different contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin C. Williams & Sara Nadin, 2011. "Re-reading entrepreneurship in the hidden economy: commercial or social entrepreneurs?," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 14(4), pages 441-455.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijesbu:v:14:y:2011:i:4:p:441-455
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