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Can it be measured? A quantitative assessment of critiques of the entrepreneurship literature

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  • Lundmark, Erik
  • Milanov, Hana
  • Seigner, Benedikt David Christian

Abstract

Recurring critiques of the entrepreneurship literature include that it is steeped in a positive, monetary, and gender-biased discourse. However, these critiques are generally not based on quantitative evidence. We apply computer-aided text analysis to evaluate how the language in the leading entrepreneurship journals compares to that of other corpora. We find that the entrepreneurship journals are more positive in tone and more focused on money than management journals. Entrepreneurship journals, like management journals, are skewed towards male, compared to female, references, but considerably less so than mass media. We discuss these differences in light of the three above-mentioned critiques.

Suggested Citation

  • Lundmark, Erik & Milanov, Hana & Seigner, Benedikt David Christian, 2022. "Can it be measured? A quantitative assessment of critiques of the entrepreneurship literature," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobuve:v:17:y:2022:i:c:s2352673421000792
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2021.e00301
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    2. Seigner, Benedikt David Christian & Milanov, Hana & Lundmark, Erik & Shepherd, Dean A., 2023. "Tweeting like Elon? Provocative language, new-venture status, and audience engagement on social media," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2).

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