Constructing narratives of enterprise: clichés and entrepreneurial self‐identity

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the repertoire of narrative resources relevant in the creation and maintenance of entrepreneurial identity, and to explore the implications for understanding entrepreneurial behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical research is based on a two and a half year ethnographic study of a small UK industrial firm.FindingsThe study describes how clichés used by aspirant entrepreneurs are significant elements in creating entrepreneurial self‐identity. In contrast to entrepreneurial metaphors, the study of which has highlighted and revealed the extraordinary components of an entrepreneurial narrative identity, examination of the clichés provide us with a means by which to understand the everyday and ordinary elements of identity construction in entrepreneurs.Research limitations/implicationsFurther qualitative research in other entrepreneurial settings will be required, exploring the generality of cliché use amongst entrepreneurs.Practical implicationsApplying the implications of our findings for pedagogic and business support uses is not explored and will need further development; we do however suggest that narrative approaches that make sense of entrepreneurship as an achievable aim may have some practical use.Originality/valueThe application of cliché as a distinctive linguistic feature of entrepreneurial self‐identity construction is highly original and reflects analogous work on entrepreneurial metaphors. Because of its ethnographic data, the paper develops empirically and conceptually rich insights into entrepreneurship.

Liminal Entrepreneuring: The Creative Practices of Nascent Necessity Entrepreneurs

“…The extent to which individuals can challenge and resist these narratives in developing their entrepreneurial identity has been extensively debated. While some authors (e.g., du Gay, 1996) argue that individuals are reflexively inscribed as entrepreneurs by the enterprise culture narrative, other authors (e.g., Down & Warren, 2008) have a more empowered vision of entrepreneurs as aware cultural operators able to navigate institutional and cultural constraints in developing their own entrepreneurial identity. We have found both.…”

Authoring second-generation entrepreneur and family business stories

“…First and second-generation entrepreneur stories are cyclic in nature following the "Seasons of a Man's life" (Levinson, 1978). Indeed, Davis and Tagiuri (1989) Entrepreneur stories are structured and constructed around common, recurring, formulaic social themes and clichéd storylines (Smith, 2005;Anderson and Smith, 2007;Down and Warren, 2008). Gersick, et al (1997:137) stress that in founding entrepreneur stories a common recurring theme is that of a benevolent other giving the entrepreneur a chance.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that entrepreneurial identity is a discursive, narrative construction (Rae, 2002;Foss, 2004: Lewis andLlewellyn, 2004;Berglund, 2006;Down and Warren, 2008;and Jones, Latham and Betta, 2009). Consequentially, there is a relationship between an individual's life course and the creation of their entrepreneurial identity (Foss, 2004).…”

“…Thus identity construction is a two way process of acknowledging and being acknowledged by others within a milieu thus stories must be told and retold as circumstances change. Furthermore, Down and Warren (2008) suggest there is a repertoire of narrative resources such as cliché's and metaphors used to create and maintain entrepreneurial identity and that these vary within different settings. that founder role identity affects the identity of the long term entrepreneurial identity of the founding entrepreneur and business.…”

The role of storyboards and scrapbooks in propagating entrepreneurial value in family business settings

“…Within the expanding field of entrepreneurship and family business research the related concepts of entrepreneurial narrative (Morrison, 2001;Smith, 2002: Down andRevley, 2004;Kontos, 2004;Nicholson and Anderson, 2005;Fillis, 2006;Down, 2006;Conway, 2007;Down and Warren, 2008;and Smith, 2009) and entrepreneurial biography (Jones and Conway, 2004;Goss, 2005;and Smith, 2005) are currently of interest. This expanding literature builds upon a growing appreciation of the importance of narrative mechanisms in propagating values associated with entrepreneurship and family business.…”