1. Who is an Entrepreneur? Is a Question Worth Asking
James W.Carland
Frank Hoy
Jo Ann C. Carland

2. Importance of Concept Support and foster entrepreneurship
Behaviour modification attempts
Increasing population of entrepreneurs
Increasing survival rate of small businesses
Build body of research
Increased focus on individuals.
Full understanding eludes as it is a complex and dynamic process

3. Conceptual ambiguity Who is an entrepreneur?
Essential characteristics of entrepreneur?
Which firms can be called entrepreneurial ventures?
Benefits of entrepreneurship?

4. Some explanations Schumpeter (1934) on Entrepreneur
Individuals who carry out new combinations of means of production
Gets equated with small business ownership; self employment
Essential characteristics of entrepreneur?
Should ownership of enterprise be omitted?
Risk bearing
Creation or exploitation of ideas
Demographics

5. Some explanations Which firms can be called entrepreneurial ventures?
Small firms or large firms (as instigators)
Vesper (1980)
Introduction of new good; new methods of production; new market; new sources of supply; industrial reorganization.
Is innovation the key word?
Benefits of entrepreneurship?

6. Definitions (Carland et.al, 1984)
Entrepreneur
Small Business owner
Establishes and manages a business for principal purpose of profit and growth
Characterized by innovative behaviour
Will employ strategic management practices in the business
Establishes and manages a business for principal purpose of furthering personal goals.
Business primary source of income and consumes majority of one’s time and resources.
Business perceived as extension of personality, family needs, desires.

7. Definitions (Carland et.al, 1984)
Entrepreneurial venture
Small business venture
Engages in behaviour that is aimed at profitability and growth.
Business characterized by innovative strategic practices
Independently owned and operated
Not dominant in its field.
Doesn’t engage in any new marketing or innovative practices.

8. Evolution as an area Definition Little convergence among researchers
Rare and inconsistent
Phenomenon occurs along continuum
Operationalization through intentionality – subjective interpretation
To know more about small ventures, need to know about their creators. Two are inextricably bound.

9. Evolution as an area Methodology
Heterogeneous samples – issue of comparability, control groups
Difference in approaches: trait school problems with sample identification.

10. Entrepreneur: Methodological Issues
Data collection predominantly from small, independent enterprises – implications for corporate entrepreneurship.
Results of study by Carland et.al
Entrepreneurship distinct from small business ownership in terms of articulated venture strategies
Entrepreneurs exhibit different personality traits and behavioural preferences.

11. Debate: Focus of studies?
Intentionality vs. creation (outcome).
Scholars not able to conceptualize motives and cognitive processes.
Multiple perceptions exist
Person vs. process (organization creation)
Issue of corporate venturing
Whole vs. part
Success depend on factors prior to, during and after launching of new venture. Need to understand all parts and interaction between them.
Whole is embedded in context(environment). Study of interaction

12. Conclusion
For field to evolve, conceptual and methodological issues need to be resolved.
Trait and behaviour are inextricably linked. Probably case study methodology more suited, especially if objective is intervention.
Institutional factors need to be incorporated.