'The concept of the "entrepreneurial economy" stems from the widespread belief that entrepreneurship is perhaps the most important and scarcest input factor of modern highly developed economies. This has resulted in a multitude of studies on the drivers and consequences of entrepreneurship in its many manifestations. Less is known about how entrepreneurship interlinks with modern institutions and policy aims such as education, finance, regulation, and the struggle with crises. The present volume fills this gap in our understanding of the "entrepreneurial economy". It shows that the concept of the "entrepreneurial economy" is so broad that "entrepreneurial society" is the better term.' – Roy Thurik, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands In the constant challenge economies face to grow and adapt, entrepreneurship and innovation are considered key factors. This impressive book shows the complementary and decisive role that education, access to an efficient financial system, and regulation may have in creating an entrepreneurial society. Not only growth, but also better growth is required to address the tremendous challenges that our European economies are facing. The contributors illustrate how more entrepreneurs and more new innovative entrepreneurial firms can contribute. They highlight a variety of factors that may be considered to promote entrepreneurship among young people, and innovative activities among firms. These include education and seeking the most favourable context for the creation and development of sustainable, innovative companies, especially during economic crises. This timely book analyses the built economy in education, sustainability and regulation to favour the emergence of new, entrepreneurial firms. With an international focus, the book provides the results of numerous research projects around entrepreneurship. Based on solid quantitative analysis, it will prove essential for students and researchers who are building quantitative models to study different aspects of the entrepreneurial society.

The emergence of new platform business models, notably the sharing economy, is impacting the economy in various ways, altering the structure of many industries, and raising a number of economic and political issues. This book investigates the widespread influence of the sharing economy on businesses and society, as well as examining its underpinning economic principles and development. This volume presents an exhaustive review of the existing knowledge on the sharing economy and addresses several major areas of concern for incumbent businesses. It also explains the business models for those who are interested in embarking on their own ventures and provides an excellent source for further research. It takes an in-depth look at controversial labour policies, such as using labour as self-employed contractors or using regulatory grey areas to expand in markets. It is highly multidisciplinary, establishing links between economics, finance, marketing and consumer behaviour. This contribution on the sharing economy will enable researchers and graduate and doctoral students to expand and improve their understanding of this topic and identify new research problems in all of these areas. The book will also appeal to policy makers, regional and local government decision makers, and those interested in labour markets transformation.

This timely book analyses the emergence of new firms in a broad context where economics, management and sociological approaches may be joined for a new perspective. The Entrepreneurial Society reveals that the market benefits of an entrepreneurial economy are evident in the new technology that has been made available to consumers over the past ten to 20 years. It illustrates that entrepreneurial firms provide the market with innovations that create new products and, in turn, generate new employment and tax revenue, thus playing a critical role in surviving the economic crisis. The expert contributors explore the diverse conditions that explain, permit and support entrepreneurship, allowing thinking outside the box and enhancing breakthrough innovations. At a time when new challenges relating to the ecological footprint are appearing, this work will prove crucial. The eclectic approaches to entrepreneurship within this book, gathered from different countries and fields of research, will prove to be hotly sought after by researchers and postgraduate students of entrepreneurship and social policy.

Entrepreneurship is the engine of economic development, which in turn impacts upon the challenges facing future entrepreneurs. This timely book explores institutional, behavioural and policy issues of primary importance to understanding the entrepreneurial society. Topics covered include entrepreneurship in relation to formal and informal institutions; entrepreneurial choice, orientation and success; entrepreneurial behaviours; entrepreneurial finance, growth and economic crises; and entrepreneurship, social dimensions and outcomes.

Previous generations enjoyed the security of lifelong employment with a sole employer. Public policy and social institutions reinforced that security by producing a labor force content with mechanized repetition in manufacturing plants, and creating loyalty to one employer for life. This is no longer the case. Globalization and new technologies have triggered a shift away from capital and towards knowledge. In today's global economy, where jobs and factories can be moved quickly to low-cost locations, the competitive advantage has shifted to ideas, insights, and innovation. But it is not enough just to have new ideas. It takes entrepreneurs to actualize them by championing them to society. Entrepreneurship has emerged as the proactive response to globalization. In this book, award-winning economist David B. Audretsch identifies the positive, proactive response to globalization--the entrepreneurial society, where change is the cutting edge and routine work is inevitably outsourced. Under the managed economy of the cold war era, government policies around the world supported big business, while small business was deemed irrelevant and largely ignored. The author documents the fundamental policy revolution underway, shifting the focus to technology and knowledge-based entrepreneurship, where start-ups and small business have emerged as the driving force of innovation, jobs, competitiveness and growth. The role of the university has accordingly shifted from tangential to a highly valued seedbed for coveted new ideas with the potential to create not just breathtaking new ventures but also entire new industries. By understanding the shift from the managed economy and the emergence of the entrepreneurial society, individuals, businesses, and communities can learn how to proactively harness the opportunities afforded by globalization in this new entrepreneurial society.

Exploring different understandings of stewardship across a range of research domains and cultures, this insightful book examines the tensions between competing perspectives and their implications for leadership. Marian Iszatt-White proposes Ôleadership-as-stewardshipÕ as a new signifier for leadership research, providing practical guidance to leaders navigating the challenges and trade-offs of the Anthropocene.