Conceptualizing corporate entrepreneurship strategy

Conceptualizing corporate entrepreneurship strategy

Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 25, Issue 8

Ireland R.D., Covin J.G., Kuratko D.F. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (USA), January 2009, Vol. 33 No. 1, Start page: 19, No. of pages: 28

Purpose – To develop a model, and associated research propositions, of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) strategy. Design/methodology/approach – Contends that the global business environment demands that companies adopt an entrepreneurial strategy, defines a CE strategy as a vision-directed, organization-wide reliance on entrepreneurial behaviour that rejuvenates the organization and shapes its operations, conducts a brief review of previously presented models of corporate entrepreneurialism, points out that these models separate entrepreneurial orientation from strategy, and argues that CE strategy is manifested through an entrepreneurial strategic vision, a pro-entrepreneurship organizational architecture, and entrepreneurial processes and behaviours across the organization. Divides the model into three sections, i.e. CE strategy antecedents, elements and consequences, includes external environment conditions, and the individual entrepreneurial cognitions of senior managers and organizational members as antecedents, incorporates organizational architecture, strategic vision and processes/behaviours as CE elements, and sees competitive capability and strategic re-positioning as consequences. Presents a range of research propositions linking a CE strategy to, inter-alia, recognition of entrepreneurial opportunities, intensity of competition, technological and market change, the strength of entrepreneurial cultural norms, reward systems, structural organicity, competitive capability and strategic repositioning. Practical implications – Advises firms to integrate CE activities with strategic management activities. Research limitations/implications – Suggests use of the model and propositions as a start-point for empirical studies. Originality/value – Comprehensive model.Article type: Conceptual paper ISSN: 1042-2587 Reference: 38AF927

Keywords: Corporate culture, Corporate strategy, Entrepreneurship, Strategic management