Multi-level approaches to entrepreneurship and small business research - transcending dichotomies with Bourdieu

Abstract

Entrepreneurship and small business (ESB) research has achieved a level of maturity which now presents a complex mixture in terms of the levels of analysis. As a result of these developments, the research on small business and entrepreneurship has a number of distinct traditions, which somehow remain in silos. In this chapter, we argue that this field of academic endeavour would benefit from a more integrated approach. We first identify the key approaches in ESB research in terms of the levels of analysis. Next, adopting a Bourdieuan perspective, we offer viable strategies for transcending contemporary dichotomies of ESB research, and offer a novel way of approaching multi-level ESB research.