Whatddya Know?

Abstract

We present an optimistic but critical perspective on qualitative research in entrepreneurship, grounded in a review of recent publication patterns, experience with the publishing process, and aspirational imagery for what such research can be. The chapter is presented in three acts: Landscape, Suggestions, and the Music of Qualitative Research. First, we set the groundwork by briefly describing the recent prevalence and patterning of scholarly entrepreneurship research. We contrast how many qualitative versus quantitative entrepreneurship papers and how many qualitative versus quantitative non-entrepreneurship papers have been published in an important set of journals during the last decade. We do this by comparing two five-year periods: 2006–2010 and 2011–2016. We also more closely examine a subset of qualitative entrepreneurship papers that focus on either organization creation or founder-run organizations, providing brief descriptions and some discussion of characteristics and patterns in this work within and across journals. Second, drawing on our experience doing and trying to publish qualitative research in entrepreneurship and as reviewers and editors of this work, as well as upon conversations with our colleagues in similar roles, we provide a somewhat impressionistic review of what we see as some important themes and issues in contemporary qualitative work in entrepreneurship. Third, we try to express some of the personal joy and sense of human connection that can come from doing this sort of work, and proffer a little bit of advice for people considering trying to make this kind of music.

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