Author: Burger-Helmchen, Thierry

Source: Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Volume 16, Number 3, 2009 , pp. 391-405(15)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Abstract:

<B>Purpose</B> - The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of evaluating the innovative/entrepreneurial capabilities of small firms in high-technology industries. <B>Design/methodology/approach</B> - The approach taken is a literature review and case study. <B>Findings</B> - The contribution of the paper is twofold: in the first part, it is tried to distinguish the different forms of entrepreneurship existing. This leads to determine a form of entrepreneurship, plural entrepreneurship, that is typical in high-tech start-ups. In the second part, it is then tried to evaluate the innovative/entrepreneurial capabilities of a firm in such a framework. This is based on a longitudinal case study of a high-tech start-up where we explore how different dimensions of entrepreneurship coexist and interplay to create a firm's innovative dynamics depending on its initial resources and those added during the firm's growth. <B>Originality/value</B> - The paper is an original attempt to distinguish different notions of entrepreneurship including the notion of plural-entrepreneurship and capabilities in a small enterprise.

Keywords: Entrepreneurialism; Innovation; Small enterprises

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14626000910977125

Publication date: 2009-08-07

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