Course content

The course aims to provide a set of advanced insights into entrepreneurship as a scholarly field of research. Particularly we will focus our attention on the cognitive and social characteristics of the field as well as on the methodological considerations in entrepreneurship research.

The course will be divided into three parts: In the first part we will discuss entrepreneurship as a research field, including the history of entrepreneurship as scholarly field, the definitions of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship as a social field. In addition, we will make some comparisons with closely related research fields such as innovation studies (and partly Science and Technology Studies). In the second part of the course we will pay attention to the methodological considerations that is prevailing in entrepreneurship research, from formulating research questions within the field, carrying through a systematic literature review, and conducting quantitative as well as qualitative studies in entrepreneurship research.

Finally, the third part of the course will be devoted to the PhD students' own reflection on entrepreneurship as a scholarly field, the way that we define the topic as well as their own use of methodology in their research.

Learning outcome

• To provide insight in entrepreneurship as a scholarly field.
• To provide knowledge about the cognitive and social development of entrepreneurship as a scholarly field.
• To provide an overview of methodological concerns in entrepreneurship research (the methodological landscape).
• To provide knowledge about qualitative as well as quantitative research methods in entrepreneurship.
• PhD students following the course should be capable to reflect and position their own research within the field of entrepreneurship and its methods.

Learning methods and activities

The course is organized in three meetings, of three days each. Teaching includes lectures as well as seminars and presentation by the PhD students.

Recommended previous knowledge

This course is tailor made for PhD students within the field of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education.

Required previous knowledge

PhD students in early stages of the PhD process in Entrepreneurship. Must hold a Master's degree in Entrepreneurship or equivalent.

Course materials

Scientific articles and selected literature.