Clarke, J, Holt, R and Blundel, R (2014) Re-imagining the growth process: (co)-evolving metaphorical representations of entrepreneurial growth. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 26 (3-4). 234 - 256. ISSN 0898-5626
Abstract
We investigate the role and influence of the biological metaphor 'growth' in studies of organizations, specifically in entrepreneurial settings. We argue that we need to reconsider metaphorical expressions of growth processes in entrepreneurship studies in order to better understand growth in the light of contemporary challenges, such as environmental concerns. Our argument is developed in two stages: first, we review the role of metaphor in organization and entrepreneurship studies. Second, we reflect critically on three conceptualizations of growth that have drawn on biological metaphors: the growing organism, natural selection and co-evolution. We find the metaphor of co-evolution heuristically valuable but under-used and in need of further refinement. We propose three characteristics of the co-evolutionary metaphor that might enrich our understanding of entrepreneurial growth: relational epistemology, collectivity and multidimensionality. Through this we provide a conceptual means of reconciling an economic impetus for entrepreneurial growth with an environmental imperative for sustainability.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2014, Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Entrepreneurship & Regional Development on 24 February 2014, available online: http:dx.doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2014.888099 |
Keywords: | biology; metaphor; co-evolution; entrepreneurship; growth; process; sustainability; natural environment |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Management Division (LUBS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 24 Aug 2015 11:27 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2018 13:07 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2014.888099 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/08985626.2014.888099 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:87158 |