Justifying Entrepreneurship

This book on entrepreneurship, compiles a series of evidence-based episodes from the lives of the marginalized and the minority-oriented entrepreneurs to comprehend whether entrepreneurship is truly a socio-economic emancipatory strategy. Varying experiences of entrepreneurs, from different geographical territories, origins and gender are examined under a critical lens to deconstruct its emancipatory potential and appreciate its power in generating human freedom, equal opportunities, and in uplifting the oppressed and suppressed classes globally. In specific the book explores entrepreneurs located in two geographically diverse regions across the world. The social entrepreneurs in the contested region of Palestine and the black and ethnic entrepreneurial group based in Georgia, United States. The book is a planned and purposeful compilation of raw [i.e., in terms of emotions and feelings], untold stories of entrepreneurs who have embraced entrepreneurship to eradicate their harsh realities and subsequently emancipate themselves. The book integrates a critical perspective, encompassing a variety of theoretical frameworks such as critical race theory, critical theory, critical realism and different power modalities and philosophies to investigate the emancipatory potential of entrepreneurship and justify it as a socio-economic emancipatory strategy. This book ventures into the murky and dark waters of entrepreneurship by exploring this concept within the black and immigrant communities, as a collective social entrepreneurship reform movement, female entrepreneurship, informal entrepreneurship operating under occupation, to provide detailed insights on bricolage and other complexed economic issues.

Deconstructs entrepreneurship using critical perspectives with a focus on power relations and social structure Presents evidence from diverse groups of entrepreneurs facing a variety of political impediments and social constraints Investigates whether entrepreneurship as favored by minorities has addressed their social and economic problems

Autorentext

Devi Akella is the Chair and Full Professor of Management at School of Business, Albany State University, USA. Her research interests constitute critical management studies, workplace bullying, learning organizations and experiential learning. She is also the Associate Editor of Organization Management journal.

Niveen L. Eid is a Business Lecturer at Birzeit University, Palestine. She also works as a professional trainer in the Palestinian market and serves as a business consultant for institutional clients. Her research interests include critical theory, entrepreneurship, business and society, critical management studies, strategy and human resources management.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Conceptualizing Entrepreneurship as Emancipation.- 3. Gendered Entrepreneurship.- 4. Black Entrepreneurship.- 5. Immigrant Entrepreneurship.- 6. Social Entrepreneurship.- 7. Entrepreneurship Under Occupation.- 8. The Dark Side of Entrepreneurship.- 9. Conclusion.