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Getting off the Track to Found – The Influence of Path Dependence on the Entrepreneurial Process (Zbaczajac z drogi ku zalozeniu przedsiebiorstwa – wplyw zaleznosci od szlaku na proces przedsiebiorczy)

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  • Jörg Freiling

    (Universität Bremen)

Abstract

The concept of path dependence describes mechanisms which can lead organizations to a lock-in on a certain path of development. Sydow et al. (2009) describe four basic self-reinforcing mechanisms (learning effects, adaptive expectations, coordination effects and complementary effects) and argue how they can lead to organizational lock-in along three distinct phases. This study investigates the influence of these mechanisms within the entrepreneurial venture creation process (Berger 2015c) and concludes in an argumentation that this process is by no means a determined path. Instead, the forces of path dependence actually lead entities out of the entrepreneurial gestation process in each single step. Therefore, becoming an entrepreneur requires repeated breaches of the determined path, which explains another dimension why starting a venture can be so challenging.

Suggested Citation

  • Jörg Freiling, 2015. "Getting off the Track to Found – The Influence of Path Dependence on the Entrepreneurial Process (Zbaczajac z drogi ku zalozeniu przedsiebiorstwa – wplyw zaleznosci od szlaku na proces przedsiebiorczy," Problemy Zarzadzania, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 13(56), pages 13-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:sgm:pzwzuw:v:13:i:56:y:2015:p:13-37
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    entrepreneurial process; nascent entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial funnel; path dependence; path breaking;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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