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The myth of entrepreneurship as a tool: Reorienting business venturing as a goal in itself in a post-growth society

Author

Listed:
  • Mazzoni, Leonardo
  • Naudé, Wim
  • Innocenti, Niccolò

Abstract

An enduring myth is of entrepreneurship as the means to the goal of economic growth. With a growing realization that perpetual economic growth and firm growth are not sustainable and violate the planet's biophysical limits, entrepreneurship should focus on contributing to a post-growth society. However, in this paper, we argue that the problems with this are twofold: one, the notions of a post-growth society are not at present compatible with entrepreneurship, and two, such an orientation continues to consider entrepreneurship as a means to a goal - in other words as a tool to fix the problems caused by excessive economic growth. In this light, we call for a de-emphasis on entrepreneurship as a means to economic growth and for more research and policies towards business venturing as a goal. Such a reorientation may also provide a basis for conceptualizing entrepreneurship in a post-growth society.

Suggested Citation

  • Mazzoni, Leonardo & Naudé, Wim & Innocenti, Niccolò, 2025. "The myth of entrepreneurship as a tool: Reorienting business venturing as a goal in itself in a post-growth society," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 23(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobuve:v:23:y:2025:i:c:s2352673424000647
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2024.e00512
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    Keywords

    High-growth entrepreneurship; Innovative startups; Unproductive entrepreneurship; Economic growth; Post-growth; Ossified economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation

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