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Facing the future through entrepreneurship theory: A prospective inquiry framework

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  • Muñoz, Pablo
  • Dimov, Dimo

Abstract

In this paper, we address a thorny challenge: how can entrepreneurship scholarship enhance its impact without compromising the pursuit of conceptual rigor and theoretical novelty? We propose a prospective inquiry framework for entrepreneurship. It aims to align the scholarly pursuit of theoretical novelty with the entrepreneurs' focus on the future, in a shared aspiration to make a difference in the world. By expanding the focus of theoretical work toward the future, scholarship can focus on the formulation, exploration, and evaluation of alternatives to the present, as theories for desired futures. Prospective inquiry retains the primacy of theorizing while expanding its purpose, value, and use in entrepreneurship research, unleashing its generative power. It opens new spaces for theoretical excellence, dissolves the research-practice gap, and allows researchers and practitioners to theorize and enact their aspirations for the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Muñoz, Pablo & Dimov, Dimo, 2023. "Facing the future through entrepreneurship theory: A prospective inquiry framework," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(4).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:38:y:2023:i:4:s0883902623000174
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106303
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Duncan J. Watts, 2017. "Should social science be more solution-oriented?," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 1-5, January.
    2. McMullen, Jeffery S., 2019. "A wakeup call for the field of entrepreneurship and its evaluators," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 413-417.
    3. Muñoz, Pablo & Dimov, Dimo, 2023. "A translational framework for entrepreneurship research," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).
    4. Marco van Gelderen & Johan Wiklund & Jeffery S. McMullen, 2021. "Entrepreneurship in the Future: A Delphi Study of ETP and JBV Editorial Board Members," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(5), pages 1239-1275, September.
    5. Mark D. Packard & Brent B. Clark & Peter G. Klein, 2017. "Uncertainty Types and Transitions in the Entrepreneurial Process," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(5), pages 840-856, October.
    6. Muñoz, Pablo & Dimov, Dimo, 2015. "The call of the whole in understanding the development of sustainable ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 632-654.
    7. Johan Wiklund & Mike Wright & Shaker A. Zahra, 2019. "Conquering Relevance: Entrepreneurship Research's Grand Challenge," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(3), pages 419-436, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jörn Block & Leif Brändle & Peter Limbach & Tobias Röth & Christopher Albert Sabel, 2025. "Half dead or more alive than ever? New, old, and (increasingly) redundant literature review formats," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(2), pages 993-1008, June.
    2. Parul Manocha & Kip Kiefer, 2026. "How enabling is the entrepreneurship industry? EI intermediaries and the spectrum of entrepreneurial action and outcomes," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 66(2), pages 753-772, February.
    3. Joan-Lluís Capelleras & Ignacio Contín-Pilart & Martin Larraza-Kintana & Victor Martin-Sanchez, 2026. "Entrepreneurial growth aspirations and the adoption of environmental actions: the role of regulatory stringency," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 66(4), pages 1635-1663, April.
    4. Richard T. Harrison, 2026. "“Close enough to speak; distant enough to learn?” A critique of the entrepreneurial ecosystem metaphor," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 11-33, February.
    5. van Gelderen, Marco, 2025. "Living healthily to 120: Implications for entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(4).
    6. Muñoz, Pablo & Barton, Marieshka & Braun, Susanne & Chowdhury, Farzana & Jayne-Little, Nicola & Rowland, Joanne & Sykes, Katherine & Smith, Jason & Talbot-Jones, Clare & Taggart, Adele & Komes, Jessic, 2023. "The deterioration of self-worth in entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).
    7. Klyver, Kim & McMullen, Jeffery S., 2025. "Rethinking entrepreneurship in causally entangled crises: A poly-crisis perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(1).
    8. Kibler, Ewald & Vaara, Eero & Laine, Lauri, 2025. "Cultivating insightful theory-building in qualitative research," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 24(C).
    9. Dimov, Dimo & Johnsen, Christian Garmann & Sørensen, Bent Meier, 2025. "The future within: Commitment, hope, and values in entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    10. Kaur, Vaneet, 2024. "Mirror neurons and neuroplasticity: The dyadic neurological foundations bridging entrepreneur-level and enterprise-level capabilities," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 22(C).
    11. Claire Champenois & Dimo Dimov & Silvia Gherardi & Daniel Hjorth & Neil Aaron Thompson, 2025. "Theorizing the Processes and Practices of Entrepreneuring at Work," Post-Print hal-05122436, HAL.
    12. Dimov, Dimo, 2024. "The future in the mirror and behind it: Scientists and more," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).

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