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The dynamic construction of an incubation context: a practice theory perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Amba Maria Erkelens

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Neil Aaron Thompson

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Dominic Chalmers

    (University of Glasgow)

Abstract

To deepen theory on the interplay between entrepreneurship and context, recent scholarship calls for more understanding on how entrepreneurs and stakeholders collectively do “contexts.” In this study, we examine how a dynamic and flexible incubation context is constructed by joint efforts between entrepreneurs and incubator management. Findings from a 4-month ethnography point to four practices—onboarding, gathering, lunching, and feedbacking—through which entrepreneurs and incubator management maintain a productive balance between agency and structure on a daily basis. These findings have several theoretical implications for theory on incubation processes and the entrepreneurship-context nexus.

Suggested Citation

  • Amba Maria Erkelens & Neil Aaron Thompson & Dominic Chalmers, 2024. "The dynamic construction of an incubation context: a practice theory perspective," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 583-605, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:62:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-023-00771-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-023-00771-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Contextualization; Practice theory; Entrepreneurial support organization; Incubator; Social entrepreneurship;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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