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A 2 × 2 Conceptual Foundation for Entrepreneurial Discovery Theory

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  • Patrick J. Murphy

Abstract

Theories about entrepreneurial discovery are important to entrepreneurship. However, the dominant conceptual foundation underlying such theories hinders their development. It assumes that opportunities form based on either deliberate search or serendipitous discovery. I examine this unidimensional logic and identify a gap in its informative content. Then, I reframe it into orthogonal dimensions. The multidimensional model not only describes the same cases as the unidimensional model but also describes what the unidimensional model cannot, including cases that are high or low on both dimensions. This extension yields a 2 × 2 conceptual foundation for entrepreneurial discovery theory that promotes the development and coordination of distinct theoretic streams.

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  • Patrick J. Murphy, 2011. "A 2 × 2 Conceptual Foundation for Entrepreneurial Discovery Theory," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(2), pages 359-374, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:35:y:2011:i:2:p:359-374
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00368.x
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    4. Patrick J. Murphy & João J. Ferreira & Cristina I. Fernandes & Arminda Paço, 2021. "Blended value and female entrepreneurial performance: social and economic aspects of education and technology transfer," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 759-777, June.
    5. Boris Urban, 2018. "Effectuation And Opportunity Recognition In The Renewable Energy Sector In South Africa: A Focus On Environmental Dynamism And Hostility," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 23(02), pages 1-17, June.
    6. Smith, Claudia & Smith, J. Brock & Shaw, Eleanor, 2017. "Embracing digital networks: Entrepreneurs' social capital online," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 18-34.
    7. Aleksandra Gawel, 2014. "Entrepreneurship in Relation to the Competitive Potential and Position of Economies," Theory Methodology Practice (TMP), Faculty of Economics, University of Miskolc, vol. 10(01), pages 9-20.
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    9. Gina Santos & Carla S. Marques & João J. M. Ferreira, 2018. "What are the antecedents of women’s entrepreneurial orientation?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 807-821, December.
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