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Guest Editors' Introduction: Alternative Perspectives on Entrepreneurship Research

Guest Editors' Introduction: Alternative Perspectives on Entrepreneurship Research
Guest Editors' Introduction: Alternative Perspectives on Entrepreneurship Research
Burrell and Morgan's (1979) classic text Sociological Paradigms and Organisational Analysis is as relevant now as it was when first published a quarter of a century ago. Central to Burrell and Morgan's thesis is the idea that "all theories of organisation are based upon a philosophy of science and a theory of society" (2003, p. 1).
Either explicitly or implicitly, researchers base their work on a series of philosophical assumptions regarding ontology, epistemology, and human nature, which have methodological consequences. Within each of these assumptions, the extreme positions are reflected in "sociological positivism" (realist ontology, positivist epistemology, deterministic view of human nature, nomothetic methodologies) and, in opposition, "German idealism" (subjective ontology, antipositivist epistemology, voluntarist view of human nature, ideographic methodologies). Similarly, researchers hold differing views about the nature of society, underpinned by further assumptions, and reflected in Burrell and Morgan's distinction between regulation and radical change. Researchers adhering to the "regulation" perspective attempt to explain society in terms that emphasize its underlying cohesiveness.
Their concerns are with the status quo, social order, consensus, social integration, solidarity, individual or system needs satisfaction, and actuality. In contrast, the "radical change" perspective is concerned with explaining structural conflict, modes of domination, contradiction, emancipation, deprivation, and potentiality.
1042-2587
145-152
Jennings, Peter L.
6864fb94-df90-4f8b-9bfd-f3dc281a0b1e
Perren, Lew
ead90a54-8b87-4ef6-ad36-a33eb567e469
Carter, Sara
17c6103f-9b9c-43da-9d10-01892c51e060
Jennings, Peter L.
6864fb94-df90-4f8b-9bfd-f3dc281a0b1e
Perren, Lew
ead90a54-8b87-4ef6-ad36-a33eb567e469
Carter, Sara
17c6103f-9b9c-43da-9d10-01892c51e060

Jennings, Peter L., Perren, Lew and Carter, Sara (2005) Guest Editors' Introduction: Alternative Perspectives on Entrepreneurship Research. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 29 (2), 145-152. (doi:10.1111/j.1540-6520.2005.00073.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Burrell and Morgan's (1979) classic text Sociological Paradigms and Organisational Analysis is as relevant now as it was when first published a quarter of a century ago. Central to Burrell and Morgan's thesis is the idea that "all theories of organisation are based upon a philosophy of science and a theory of society" (2003, p. 1).
Either explicitly or implicitly, researchers base their work on a series of philosophical assumptions regarding ontology, epistemology, and human nature, which have methodological consequences. Within each of these assumptions, the extreme positions are reflected in "sociological positivism" (realist ontology, positivist epistemology, deterministic view of human nature, nomothetic methodologies) and, in opposition, "German idealism" (subjective ontology, antipositivist epistemology, voluntarist view of human nature, ideographic methodologies). Similarly, researchers hold differing views about the nature of society, underpinned by further assumptions, and reflected in Burrell and Morgan's distinction between regulation and radical change. Researchers adhering to the "regulation" perspective attempt to explain society in terms that emphasize its underlying cohesiveness.
Their concerns are with the status quo, social order, consensus, social integration, solidarity, individual or system needs satisfaction, and actuality. In contrast, the "radical change" perspective is concerned with explaining structural conflict, modes of domination, contradiction, emancipation, deprivation, and potentiality.

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More information

Published date: 2005
Additional Information: Subtitle: The Need for Alternative Perspectives in Entrepreneurship Research

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 36817
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/36817
ISSN: 1042-2587
PURE UUID: a0503487-5df8-40ad-9506-120d2e9357a2

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Date deposited: 23 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:57

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Contributors

Author: Peter L. Jennings
Author: Lew Perren
Author: Sara Carter

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