About the Book
A detailed and critical analysis of the multiple types of entrepreneurship, helping students to understand the practical skills and theoretical concepts needed to create their very own entrepreneurial venture.
Split into two parts, the book provides an even balance between theory and practice. Part 1 covers the practical activities involved in new entrepreneurial ventures, and Part 2 uses the latest research to explore entrepreneurship from different perspectives.
The second edition features a new author, Catherine Wang, who brings specialist knowledge in entrepreneurial learning, ethnic minority entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship. There are new chapters on the Varieties of Entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship (not-for-profit) and Intrapreneurship (employees within organizations) and Entrepreneurial Learning, which explores how entrepreneurs hone and develop their thinking. There is also a collection of new international case studies, including Dyson, Facebook, Made.com, and examples of entrepreneurship in China and Ghana.
The book is complemented by a companion website featuring online resources for instructors and students, including PowerPoint Slides, additional mini case studies, multiple choice questions, video links, and revision tips.
Suitable reading for students taking modules in Entrepreneurship or New venture creation at upper undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Varieties of Entrepreneurship
PART ONE: ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PRACTICE
Chapter 3: Visions: Creating New Ventures
Chapter 4: Opportunities: Nurturing Creativity and Innovation
Chapter 5: People: Leading Teams and Networks
Chapter 6: Markets: Understanding Customers and Competitors
Chapter 7: Operations: Implementing Technologies, Processes and Controls
Chapter 8: Accounts: Interpreting Financial Performance
Chapter 9: Finances: Raising Capital for New Ventures
PART TWO: PERSPECTIVES ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Chapter 10: Research Matters: Introduction and Overview
Chapter 11: Individual Perspectives: Beyond the 'Heroic' Entrepreneur
Chapter 12: Social Perspectives: Understanding People and Places
Chapter 13: Economic Perspectives: Influences and Impacts
Chapter 14: Historical Perspectives: The 'Long View'
Chapter 15: Political Perspectives: From Policy to Practice
Chapter 16: Reflections: Entrepreneurial Learning
About the Author :
Richard K. Blundel is Professor of Enterprise and Organisation in the Department for Public Leadership and Social Enterprise at The Open University. He has been involved in creating and leading several new undergraduate and postgraduate courses in entrepreneurship and innovation. Richard’s current research focuses on promoting environmental sustainability in SMEs. He also examines growth and innovation in craft-based firms, such as cheesemakers, small boat builders, furniture designer-makers and brass musical instrument manufacturers. His work has been published in journals such as Business & Society, Business Strategy and the Environment, Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Enterprise & Society and The Journal of Small Business Management. He has also contributed two articles, on artisan production and industrialisation, to The Oxford Companion to Cheese (Oxford University Press, 2016). Nigel Lockett is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde. He is a senior academic, experienced manager, serial entrepreneur and community leader. In 2015, he was awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship for outstanding contribution to enterprise in higher education. Nigel also has over 25 years’ experience as a company director, with a track record in managing start-up, joint venture and social enterprises. His current research interests focus on academic entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial learning and the use of customer relationship management (CRM) technologies by SMEs. Recently, he was a Co-Investigator on the £7m GCRF RECIRCULATE project: ‘Driving eco-innovation in Africa: capacity-building for a safe, circular water economy. Nigel is a Fellow and Past President of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Catherine L. Wang is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Brunel Business School, Brunel University London. She has been involved in creating the undergraduate programme in entrepreneurship and innovation. Catherine’s research interests are at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy, and in particular, how firms can turn strategic and entrepreneurial resources and capabilities into successful innovation and firm performance in both commercial and social enterprises. Her work has been published in journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, British Journal of Management, International Journal of Management Reviews, Journal of Business Research, International Small Business Journal, and Journal of Small Business Management. Catherine has also co-edited books on entrepreneurial learning and cross-cultural research methods.
Review :
This is a great book, a book that I long have searched for and wanted for my students. What I particular value in this book is the books discussion of pro and cons, and how it allows the reader to evaluate their options. The book offers a nice and balanced introduction to the variety of ways one could engage in entrepreneurship, both in practice and as a learner. Part I takes a “how to do” approach aiding the reader from an idea search to an emerging new venture. Part II addresses the learners need for guidance. Through the tales of entrepreneurship scholars, cases, elaborations on research questions and methods, the learner are offered a way into exploring essential emerging issues in entrepreneurship research themselves. The format of the book allows me as a teacher in entrepreneurship subjects to assist the learning of my students by inviting them into the entrepreneurial universe by themselves taking part in their own entrepreneurial endeavor through action and reflection.
A detailed and contemporary text offering a coherent outline of key concepts and practices in the field of entrepreneurship. This book explores a diverse range of issues relevant to all studying entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behaviour; an excellent and comprehensive text. It is to be recommended to all those engaged with teaching, debating and theorising entrepreneurship.
This book provides an insightful grounded perspective on the rapidly evolving subject of entrepreneurship. The combination of the practical and the academic gives it a distinctive position in the marketplace for student texts on the subject
This is a well written and accessible book on entrepreneurship which makes a welcome return in an improved second edition. Blundel, Lockett and Wang with their blend of practical coverage and perspectives on entrepreneurship make the subject come to life. This book will be invaluable to lecturers and students alike.
This is a great book which is easy to read for practitioners and offers a comprehensive insight for academic scholars and entrepreneurs.
This second edition of a valuable core text on entrepreneurship brings a welcome updating and fresh approach to the work. The scope of the book, covering the entrepreneurial process, creativity and innovation, and the business disciplines of marketing, finance, people and technology management and the range of business models and strategies, is comprehensive. The separation between practical and research-based perspectives works effectively.
Each chapter in Part One is conceptually sound, with clear learning outcomes and well-framed questions. They are filled with a range of authentic, relevant and well-researched case studies. The quality and insight of these cases really helps the reader get ‘under the skin’ of the entrepreneurial business.
Part Two explores the research dimensions of entrepreneurship and is more likely to appeal to the final year undergraduate or postgraduate student looking for deeper knowledge of different research perspectives and their interactions with both entrepreneurial and the learner’s experiences. Important economic, historical and political perspectives are addressed in an authoritative, yet accessible way, which also embeds international dimensions throughout. The final chapter addresses entrepreneurial learning, however the focus on learning is recursive throughout the book. Overall, this is a rare example of a very well researched, accessible and authoritative text which should appeal both to learners and to educators.
Exploring Entrepreneurship is a breakthrough textbook for students of entrepreneurship. No other textbook combines such a clear summary of the start-up process along with a comprehensive overview of the developing discipline of entrepreneurship studies.
