In Pursuit of Impact: From Research Questions to Problem Formulation in Entrepreneurship Research

Chen, Suwen, Sharma, Garima and Munoz, Pablo (2023) In Pursuit of Impact: From Research Questions to Problem Formulation in Entrepreneurship Research. ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, 47 (2). pp. 232-264.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10422587221111736

Abstract

<jats:p>In this paper, we address recent calls to increase the societal relevance of entrepreneurship research. We explore how entrepreneurship researchers and practitioners work together in the formulation of a research problem for impact. Leveraging process-tracing, we analyzed six entrepreneurship research projects, from early conceptualization to publication, all part of the Journal of Business Venturing Insights’ Entrepreneurship Rapid Response Research Initiative. We made two discoveries, as it pertains to the formulation of problems in entrepreneurship research. First, we found four critical change dimensions, along which a problem evolves throughout the research process: worthiness, divisibility, centrality, and specificity. Second, we found two equifinal problem formulation pathways in impact-oriented entrepreneurship research: inward-looking iterative and outward-looking joint problem formulation. These are marked by drivers of the research project, timing of involvement of the practitioner, and interactions between researchers and practitioners, which influence the sequence of the four change dimensions in problem formulation. Our study contributes by theorizing problem formulation as a process, not a point in time, and hence intertwined with solutions, making the process consequential. We also offer concrete implications for entrepreneurship scholars wanting to engage in research that impacts practice.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	rigor and relevance, engaged scholarship, qualitative research, research impact, problem-driven research
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	01 Nov 2022 13:41
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2023 03:32
DOI:	10.1177/10422587221111736
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587221111736
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165937