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The Language of Entrepreneurship in Social Sciences

Aspect Network
January 24, 2021
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The Language of Entrepreneurship in Social Sciences

Aspect Network

January 24, 2021
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  1. Aspect ENT CoP – November 2020 Workshop
    The Language of
    Entrepreneurship in Social
    Sciences

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  2. Research Aims
    • Assess the status and
    understanding of
    entrepreneurship in the social
    sciences.
    • Point at gaps and
    approaches to build a
    dialectic within the social
    sciences to encourage more
    multi-disciplinary embrace of
    entrepreneurial activities.
    • Understand the role that
    language plays in the
    engagement of students in
    entrepreneurship: examples
    from Aspect members.

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  3. 1-2 minutes to type in
    the chat:
    •Your own short (one
    sentence) definition of
    “entrepreneurship”
    •Five words you
    associate with
    “entrepreneurship”
    Quick Thoughts!

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  4. • Assumption of a set/uniform definition of
    entrepreneurship = wrong!
    • Definitions and conceptualisations are
    as diverse, ambiguous and complex as
    entrepreneurial activities in themselves.
    • The importance of language goes beyond
    communication:
    • Discourse analysis studies view
    language as not only communicating an
    idea or reality, but also as constructing,
    producing and reproducing the idea in
    itself.
    • The language of entrepreneurship
    (e.g. terms, definitions, visions) not only
    communicates entrepreneurship as a
    practice, but directly constructs and
    shapes entrepreneurship as a
    practice (Berglund and Johansson,
    2007).
    • A discourse analysis study of academic
    publications on entrepreneurship by
    Berglund and Johansson (2007) shows that:
    • Entrepreneurship is spoken of (and
    constructed) as something inherently
    good and also inherent in the human
    spirit/ability towards creativity and
    innovation.
    • There is dominant idealised /
    stereotypical view of the
    “entrepreneur”, automatically ascribing
    to this individual assets and qualities like
    networking, social capital, resources,
    efficiency, managerial etc.
    • Issues: these discourse can alienate
    people who might fill ill-suited and/or
    who can’t resonate with the highlighted
    skills/qualities/assets.
    Literature Review: The Importance
    Language in Entrepreneurship

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  5. • Entrepreneurial language, and
    discourse in general, changes over
    time.
    • On common words over the years:
    ▪ “Opportunity/ies” remains dominant
    ▪ “Marketing” has grown
    ▪ “Bootstrap” has decreased
    ▪ “Big data” and “social media” have
    emerged
    • Notable shifts in overall discourse:
    ▪ From just emphasizing “financial
    value” to also considering “social
    value”
    ▪ From centring the individual to
    underscoring “communities” /
    ”ecosystems”
    Literature Review: Status of Entrepreneurship
    Language
    Source: Roundy, P.T. and Asllani, A., 2019. Understanding the
    language of entrepreneurship. Journal of Economic and
    Administrative Sciences.

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  6. • Original rise of “entrepreneurship” as a set concept was in the 80s in the USA (Pawar, 2013).
    • Reagan era: pro-market values, economic liberalisation trends, individualism.
    • Potentially exported abroad through development finance (re: structural adjustment era) and/or
    through globalisation.
    • The leading social sciences involved in entrepreneurship (i.e. economics) can underestimate the
    importance of contextualised practical knowledge (and by extension, contextualised practical
    language) (Swedberg, 2000).
    • Social sciences like anthropology can provided more grounded knowledge (and by extension,
    language) that resonates with entrepreneurs on-the-ground and their lives.
    • Cultural factors, structural conditions and social values shape engagement and interest in
    entrepreneurship, thus will/should shape its communicative language too.
    • Issue: these trends, factors, conditions and values are not experienced homogenously within
    countries or local communities (i.e. diversity & exclusion issues).
    Literature Review: The Importance of Social,
    Cultural and Political-economic Trends

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  7. Parkinson and Howorth (2018) find that:
    • Social entrepreneurs in the UK
    reappropriate and repackage the
    mainstream language of
    entrepreneurship.
    • Avoid fully adopting the language
    of efficiency, business discipline,
    managerial competence and
    financial independence.
    • Align their language with moral,
    social and local concerns, as well
    as collective action, geographical
    community and local power
    struggles.
    Rindova, Barry and Ketchen (2009) argue
    that:
    • Entrepreneurship functions as an
    “emancipatory process”, and not
    just as a profit-seeking activity.
    • Includes:
    • Pushing to change and create
    new economic, social and
    cultural environments.
    • Seeking autonomy and
    authoring, and making
    declarations.
    • Goals:
    • Break free from authority.
    • Remove perceived constraints.
    Literature Review: Alternative Discourses
    in Entrepreneurship
    Implications: How do students speak about entrepreneurship themselves? Do they use
    mainstream language/discourse, or their own? How does this affect promotional efforts?
    How does it vary across universities?

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  8. Aspect Partner Example: Sussex Start-up

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  9. Aspect Partner Example: LSE Generate

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  10. Any
    questions

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  11. • Berglund, K. and Johansson, A.W., 2007. Constructions of
    entrepreneurship: a discourse analysis of academic publications. Journal of
    Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy.
    • Parkinson, C. and Howorth, C., 2008. The language of social
    entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship and regional development, 20(3), pp.285-
    309.
    • Pawar, P., 2013. Social sciences perspectives on entrepreneurship. Social
    Sciences, 3(9).
    • Roundy, P.T. and Asllani, A., 2019. Understanding the language of
    entrepreneurship. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences.
    • Swedberg, R. ed., 2000. Entrepreneurship: The social science view.
    Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    References

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