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The Philosophical Matrix of Entrepreneurship
Mapping theories across Ontology (the nature of reality), Epistemology (how we acquire knowledge), and Lifecycle (Early vs. Late Stage).
Positivist Epistemology
(Measurable, Data-Driven, Scientific)
(Measurable, Data-Driven, Scientific)
Interpretivist Epistemology
(Constructed, Meaning-Driven, Contextual)
(Constructed, Meaning-Driven, Contextual)
The Scientists (Objective/Positivist)
Markets exist independently and can be measured objectively.
Early Stage (Creation & Discovery)
- Birth Order Theory
- Cantillon Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Disruptive Innovation Theory
- First Mover Theory
- First Principles Theory
- Genetic Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Hagen's Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Individual-Opportunity Nexus Theory
- Information Asymmetry Theory
- Kirznerian Entrepreneurship
- Knowledge Spillover Theory
- Liquidity Theory
- Necessity vs Opportunity Theory
- Schumpeter's Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Utility Theory of Entrepreneurship
Late Stage (Growth & Maturation)
- Agglomeration Theory
- Architectural Innovation Theory
- Barney's Resource-Based Theory
- Baumol's Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Becker's Human Capital Theory
- Brand Extension Theory
- Competence Destruction Theory
- Contingency Theory
- Contract Theory Entrepreneurship
- Corporate Spin-Off
- Crossing the Chasm
- Diffusion of Innovations Theory
- Evolutionary Theory of Entrepreneurship
- External Enabler Theory
- Harvard School Theory
- Hoselitz's Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Jensen's Agency Theory
- Jobs to be Done
- Long Tail of Consumer Demand
- Niche Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Pecking Order Theory
- Physiological Theory
- Place-Based Entrepreneurship
- Population Ecology
- Profit Maximization Theory
- Real Options Theory
- Resource Dependency Theory
- Resource Scarcity Theory
- Say Coordinator Theory
- Spinout versus Spinoff
- Stages Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Strategic Choice Theory
- Stratified Systems Theory
- Systems Theory
- Transaction Cost Theory
- University Spinout Entrepreneurship
- X-Efficiency Theory
- Zombie Firm Theory
The Sensemakers (Objective/Interpretivist)
Reality exists, but we are limited by bounded rationality and institutional structures.
Early Stage (Context & Entry)
- Affordance Theory
- Attribution Theory
- Biculturalism and Entrepreneurship
- Born Global Startups
- Born Open Startup
- Cultural Dimensions Theory
- Digital Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Theory
- Event-Based Entrepreneurship
- Imprinting in Entrepreneurship
- Information Processing Theory
- Institutional Voids
- Knight's Uncertainty Bearing Theory
- Max Weber's Theory of Entrepreneurship
- McLuhan Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Mixed Embeddedness Theory
- Prospect Theory
- Signaling Theories
Late Stage (Firm Structure & Network)
- Actor-Network Theory
- Attention-Based View
- Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy
- Dynamic Capabilities Theory
- Embeddedness Theory
- Individual Ambidexterity
- Institutional Theories
- International Entrepreneurship
- Optimal Distinctiveness Theory
- Social Exchange Theory
- Social Network Theory
- Stakeholder Theory
- Stewardship Theory
- Strategic Disagreements Theory
- Upper Echelons Theory
The Psychometrists (Subjective/Positivist)
The mind houses the opportunity, but human traits can be measured scientifically.
Early Stage (Traits & Impetus)
- Addiction Theory
- Ambiguity Tolerance Theory
- Brain Parasite Theory
- Childhood Adversity Theory
- Disagreeableness Theory
- Entrepreneurial Energy
- Hubris Theory
- Impulsivity Theory
- Jack of All Trades Theory
- Locus of Control Theory
- Machiavellian Theory
- Misfit Theory
- Narcissism and Entrepreneurship
- Need for Achievement
- Passion Theory
- Self-Efficacy Theory
- Sleep is for Losers Theory
- The Great Man Theory
- Theory of Planned Behavior
Late Stage (Behavior & Cognition)
The Constructors (Subjective/Interpretivist)
Reality is socially constructed through meaning, action, and identity.
Early Stage (Ideation & Identity)
- Bootstrapping Theory
- Co-Creation Theory
- Design Thinking
- Entrepreneurial Identity
- Entrepreneurial Improvisation
- Entrepreneurship as Emancipation
- Expectations as Opportunities
- Experiential Learning Theory
- Feminist Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Lean Launchpad
- Levi-Strauss Bricolage Theory
- Neurodiverse Entrepreneurs
- Rogue Entrepreneurship
- Sarasvathy Effectuation Theory
- Sensemaking in Entrepreneurship
- Simulated Empathy Theory
- Slacker Theory
Late Stage (Impact & Evolution)
- Actualization Theory
- Business Model Innovation
- Critical Theory of Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurial Responsibility
- Entrepreneurship and Democracy
- Entrepreneurship and Well-Being
- Family Entrepreneurship
- Generativity Theory
- Hybrid Entrepreneurship Theory
- Informal Entrepreneurship
- Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
- Power and Entrepreneurship
- Procedural Justice Theory
- Radical Subjectivist Theory
- Serial Entrepreneurship
- Social Entrepreneurship Theory
- Social Judgement Theory
- Social Safety Nets
- Sports-Based Entrepreneurship
- Structuration Theory
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Xenophilic Theory
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