Title: The contribution of entrepreneurship to society

Authors: Hans Ruediger Kaufmann

Addresses: School of Business, The University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Abstract: The paper provides a concise summary about previous and current developments in the field of entrepreneurship. The discussion embraces the entrepreneur|s disequilibrating role, a conceptual discourse with different schools of entrepreneurship, an interesting shift from entrepreneurial characteristics as observable facts to the creation of an entrepreneur by social interaction, various kinds of entrepreneurship|s capital contribution to society and the differentiation of various new and alternative forms of entrepreneurship. Based on a more efficient use of cultural diversity for seen to be a source for competitive advantage, the paper suggests reviewing the current definition of entrepreneurship applied by the European Union to include multidisciplinary, international and differentiating aspects. Regarding the current dissatisfaction with entrepreneurial concepts, the paper suggests a research proposal to assess the antecedents and consequences for innovative entrepreneurship in Cyprus. It is hypothesised that identity is the mediating variable. The conclusion calls for concerted actions that imply some educational consequences.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; society; multidisciplinary paradigms; definition; education; identity; social interaction; cultural diversity; entrepreneurial concepts; innovation; Cyprus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2009.021609

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2009 Vol.7 No.1, pp.59 - 73

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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