Research Database
Looking for the full list of theories about entrepreneurship?
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Innovation
Risk
Action
Social Impact
Cognition
Choose a Framework:
Cantillon (Functional)
Schumpeter (Creative Destruction)
Knight (Risk & Uncertainty)
Kirzner (Alertness)
J.B. Say (Coordinator)
Baumol (Productive/Destructive)
Casson (Judgment)
X-Efficiency Theory
Transaction Cost
Information Asymmetry
Knowledge Spillover
McClelland (N-Ach)
Locus of Control
Dark Triad / Narcissism
Impulsivity / ADHD
Self-Efficacy
Ambiguity Tolerance
Hubris Theory
Regulatory Focus
Max Weber
Social Capital/Network
Institutional Theory
Embeddedness
Cultural Dimensions
Feminist Theory
Indigenous Entrepreneurship
Family Entrepreneurship
Hoselitz (Marginal Man)
Effectuation (Sarasvathy)
Bricolage
Resource-Based View (RBV)
Lean Startup (Blank/Ries)
Dynamic Capabilities
Disruptive Innovation
First Mover Advantage
Real Options
Agency Theory
Stewardship Theory
Stakeholder Theory
Contingency Theory
Neurodiversity
Toxoplasmosis (Brain Parasite)
Genetic Theory
Population Ecology
External Enablers
Slacker Theory
Born Global Startups
Experiential Learning
Schumpeter's Theory
Highly focused on radical innovation and economic disruption (Creative Destruction). High systemic risk, but primarily an economic analysis rather than individual cognition.
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1. Innovation
Measures the emphasis on novelty, market disruption, and new combinations.
High: Schumpeter, Disruptive Innovation
Low: Arbitrage, Imitative Models
2. Risk & Uncertainty
Measures the focus on navigating the unknown and bearing potential loss.
High: Knight, Cantillon, Toxoplasmosis
Low: Planned Management, Optimization
3. Action
Focuses on the "process"—the tools and methods used to build a venture.
High: Lean Startup, Bricolage, Effectuation
Low: Historical or Macro-Economic Theory
4. Cognition
Focuses on the mindset, psychology, traits, and alertness of the individual.
High: Kirzner, N-Ach, Self-Efficacy
Low: Population Ecology, Institutional
5. Social Impact
Measures value creation beyond private economic profit (community/ethics).
High: Indigenous, Social Ent, Feminist
Low: Agency Theory, Shareholder Value
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