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Knowledge Accumulation: Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Uncertainty

Author

Listed:
  • James J. Chrisman
  • Sarah Jack
  • Franz W. Kellermanns
  • Nina Rosenbusch
  • Karl Wennberg

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to introduce the second special issue on knowledge accumulation in entrepreneurship published in Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice . Based on the idea that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about the pursuit of opportunity in the presence of uncertainty, the special issue first summarizes and discusses four articles that deal with who pursues opportunities and the types of opportunities pursued (nascent entrepreneurship; user entrepreneurship; returnee entrepreneurship; destructive entrepreneurship), and then summarizes and discusses four articles that deal with the nature of uncertainty and methods entrepreneurs use to cope with uncertainty (Knightian uncertainty; entrepreneurial metacognition; entrepreneurial experimentation; network agency).

Suggested Citation

  • James J. Chrisman & Sarah Jack & Franz W. Kellermanns & Nina Rosenbusch & Karl Wennberg, 2026. "Knowledge Accumulation: Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Uncertainty," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 50(1), pages 3-20, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:50:y:2026:i:1:p:3-20
    DOI: 10.1177/10422587251393674
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    References listed on IDEAS

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