Entrepreneurship: Revisiting process research

In recent years many scholars have argued that the continued application of traditional research methods to entrepreneurship research has not helped advance the theory (Alvarez and Barney, 2004; McKelvey, 2004; Shane, 2000; Van de Ven and Engleman, 2004). Societies have great interest in promoting new firms as they create jobs and wealth. New firms are also a source of inventions and innovations, of technologies, products and services. It is therefore understandable why developing a theory of entrepreneurship would focus on issues which enhance the understanding of factors related to the setting up of efficient and competitive new firms. If process research is useful because it allows researchers to develop a rich and textured image, what lies under that textured image is a canvas, the researcher's perception of reality. Process approach can enrich entrepreneurship theory as long as the research design allows for creative storytelling and at the same time allows the researcher to develop a reasoned approach to categorization, elaboration and integration.