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Cultural and creative entrepreneurs: understanding the role of entrepreneurial identity

Daniela Werthes (TIME Research Area, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany)
René Mauer (ESCP Europe, Berlin, Germany)
Malte Brettel (Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany)

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research

ISSN: 1355-2554

Article publication date: 15 November 2017

Issue publication date: 8 January 2018

4560

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries develop an entrepreneurial identity. It also aims to expand research on cultural and creative entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on longitudinal qualitative cases and analyses the potential entrepreneurial identity development of eight cultural and creative entrepreneurs from Germany. The researchers create a framework to ascertain whether and, if so, how cultural and creative entrepreneurs develop an entrepreneurial identity.

Findings

The findings suggest that cultural and creative entrepreneurs do develop an entrepreneurial identity and incorporate their cultural and creative identity into that entrepreneurial identity whereas self-reflection is a key driver in the development.

Practical implications

Cultural and creative entrepreneurs are a key driver of economic development. Hence, it is important to generate a more detailed understanding of their entrepreneurial mind-set and their behaviour.

Originality/value

The study suggests that cultural and creative entrepreneurs actively develop an entrepreneurial identity and that self-reflection, communication with other entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial experience are the main drivers of their identity development. Nevertheless, their cultural and creative identity does have an influence on their entrepreneurial identity. In addition, the study demonstrates how such entrepreneurs develop their identity.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

A DAAD scholarship enabled the work on this study.

Citation

Werthes, D., Mauer, R. and Brettel, M. (2018), "Cultural and creative entrepreneurs: understanding the role of entrepreneurial identity", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 290-314. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-07-2016-0215

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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