Entrepreneurial Systems for the 1990s: Their Creation, Structure, and Management

About the Book

Following an in-depth discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of successful entrepreneurship, the authors show how to apply the theory in actual practice. They demonstrate how to analyze the entrepreneurial firm's stage of development and then focus specifically on problems linked to that stage, how to use the Success/Failure grid as an analysis tool, and how to capitalize on favorable conditions and opportunities. A book for aspiring entrepreneurs both within and outside of established corporations, this book introduces a new perspective on the subject that both refutes individualistic myths about entrepreneurship and provides a specific theory about successful entrepreneurial activity. The authors point to the need for entrepreneurial systems--collections of individuals working together--as the real key to successful ventures. . . . By painting a more accurate picture of how entrepreneurial ventures really work, and then offering sound advice to prospective entrepreneurs on how to achieve lasting success, this book makes a major contribution to the business literature. Money World

A book for aspiring entrepreneurs both within and outside of established corporations, this book introduces a new perspectve on the subject that both refutes individualistic myths about entrepreneurship and provides a specific theory about successful entrepreneurial activity. The authors point to the need for entrepreneurial systems--collections of individuals working together--as the real key to successful ventures. They argue that there are four essential elements that must be present and operating in concert if entrepreneurship is to succeed: characteristics, competencies, conditions, and contexts.

Following an in-depth discussion of the theoretical underpinnngs of successful entrepreneurship, the authors show how to apply the theory in actual practice. Planning tools like the Four C Conference--in which an assessment of each of the four necessary elements is made--and the Concert of Components Conference will enable the individual entrepreneur to begin to set up a workable entrepreneurial system. The authors demonstrate how to analyze the entrepreneurial firm's stage of development and then focus specifically on problems linked to that stage, how to use the success/failure grid as an analysis tool, and how to capitalize on favorable conditions and opportunities. By painting a more accurate picture of how entrepreneurial ventures really work--and then offering sound advice to prospective entrepreneurs on how to achieve lasting success--this book makes a major contribution to the business literature.

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Sam Zell
The Entrepreneurial Impulse
The Entrepreneurial Matrix: Personal Qualities and the Entrepreneurial Manager
The Energy of Thought: The Importance of Entrepreneurship
The Supply of Ideas: Success and Failure--The Mountain Man and the Wagon Train
The Entrepreneurial Staircase
The Ten-S System
Society: Social Structure and Social Culture
Creating Entrepreneurial Subculture
Creating Entrepreneurial Strategies
Creating Entrepreneurial Structures
Creating Entrepreneurial Systems
Creating Entrepreneurial Staff
Creating Entrepreneurial Style
Creating Entrepreneurial Skills
The Entrepreneurial: Orchestrating Entrepreneurial Performace
The Entrepreneurial Power Groups--Achieving High Quality Decisions in Meetings
Entrepreneurial Power Roles--The Meeting Scenario
Entrepreneurial Leadership: The Thing That Makes It Work
Bibliography
Index

About the Author :

JOHN E. TROPMAN is Professor of Administration at the University of Michigan. His previous books include Public Policy Opinion and the Elderly (Greenwood Press, 1987), Policy Management in the Human Services, and Meetings: How to Make Them Work for You.

GERSH MORNINGSTAR is Managing Editor of Central Florida Film and Entertainment Revue.

Review :
?A book for aspiring entrepreneurs, both within and outside of established corporations, this book introduces a new perspective on the subject that both refutes individualistic myths about entrepreneurship and provides a specific theory about successful entrepreneurial activity. The authors point to the need for entrepreneurial systems--collections of individuals working together--as the real key to successful ventures. They argue that there are four essential elements that must be present and operating in concert if entrepreneurship is to succeed: characteristics, competencies, conditions and context. Following an in-depth discussion of the theoretical underpinning of successful entrepreneurship, the authors show how to apply the theory in actual practice. . . . By painting a more accurate picture of how entrepreneurial ventures really work, and then offering sound advice to prospective entrepreneurs on how to achieve lasting success, this book makes a major contribution to business literature.?-Money World ?Tropman stresses the present need for all enterprises to improve entrepreneurial leadership and management. He describes and analyzes various theories and systems relevant to entrepreneurship and presents a useful graph of the steps in the entrepreneurial process. Coined or novel terms (inspiriting, metavalues, angel's advocate, prewards) are utilized along with simple illustrations, e.g., PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) applied to a Thanksgiving dinner. Insights and advice from the extensive literature, especially Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, John Naisbitt, and Lawrence Miller are adapted and applied in creating an entrepreneurial ensemble.' Tropman has taught, researched, and published on management, especially on meetings and consensus. Extensive bibliography ranges from a Land's End catalog to Talcott Parsons. Good index. More entrepreneurial emphasis than Eric G. Flamholtz, How to Make the Transition from an Entrepreneurship to a Professionally Managed Firm (1986). Upper-division and graduate students and general readers.?-Choice "A book for aspiring entrepreneurs, both within and outside of established corporations, this book introduces a new perspective on the subject that both refutes individualistic myths about entrepreneurship and provides a specific theory about successful entrepreneurial activity. The authors point to the need for entrepreneurial systems--collections of individuals working together--as the real key to successful ventures. They argue that there are four essential elements that must be present and operating in concert if entrepreneurship is to succeed: characteristics, competencies, conditions and context. Following an in-depth discussion of the theoretical underpinning of successful entrepreneurship, the authors show how to apply the theory in actual practice. . . . By painting a more accurate picture of how entrepreneurial ventures really work, and then offering sound advice to prospective entrepreneurs on how to achieve lasting success, this book makes a major contribution to business literature."-Money World "Tropman stresses the present need for all enterprises to improve entrepreneurial leadership and management. He describes and analyzes various theories and systems relevant to entrepreneurship and presents a useful graph of the steps in the entrepreneurial process. Coined or novel terms (inspiriting, metavalues, angel's advocate, prewards) are utilized along with simple illustrations, e.g., PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) applied to a Thanksgiving dinner. Insights and advice from the extensive literature, especially Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman, John Naisbitt, and Lawrence Miller are adapted and applied in creating an entrepreneurial ensemble.' Tropman has taught, researched, and published on management, especially on meetings and consensus. Extensive bibliography ranges from a Land's End catalog to Talcott Parsons. Good index. More entrepreneurial emphasis than Eric G. Flamholtz, How to Make the Transition from an Entrepreneurship to a Professionally Managed Firm (1986). Upper-division and graduate students and general readers."-Choice