The Spirit of Entrepreneurship

What inspires people to leave certainty behind to pursue their vision through creativity and entrepreneurship? The authors, entrepreneurial researchers at Nyenrode Business University, explore entrepreneurship through the lens of human behaviour.

Inside this book readers will discover what inspires people to leave behind certainty to pursue a vision of creativity and entrepreneurship. This book explores entrepreneurship through the lens of human behavior, addressing such factors as creative vision, drive, reflection, action, passion, teamwork, achievement, commitment and, significantly, personal values are some of the major elements. It includes the inspiring stories of 60 entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial executives from Europe and North America. It also features a wide range of case studies, from solo entrepreneurs to fast-growing ventures, from entrepreneurial CEO's to creative leaders in the public sector. These entrepreneurs' stories show how mutually beneficial results can be created when the pursuit of profits is balanced with the interdependent needs of individuals, the community, and the planet. Within this book, readers will find the secrets of success.

Gain an insight into what defines entrepreneurship Learn from the example of 60 personal stories of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial executives, primarily from Europe and North America Apply the determinants of entrepreneurial success to your own business Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

What inspires people to leave behind certainty to pursue their vision through creativity and entrepreneurship? Sharda S. Nandram and Karel J. Samsom, entrepreneurial researchers at Nyenrode Business University, explore entrepreneurship through the lens of human behaviour. Creative vision, drive, reflection, action, passion, teamwork, achievement, commitment and, significantly, personal values are some of the major elements.

Personal stories of 60 entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial executives from Europe and North America are studied in the context of human and organizational behavior. Case studies range from solo entrepreneurs to fast-growing ventures and from entrepreneurial CEO's to creative leaders in the public sector. Nandram and Samsom approach entrepreneurship as an interactive process of human forces and the economic, ecological, and social environments in which they manifest. These entrepreneurs' stories show how mutually beneficial results can be created when the pursuit of profits is balanced with the interdependent needs of individuals, the community and the planet.

"The educational process is critical. European universities must play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, helping students learn not just how to start, but also how to grow, enterprises and across national boundaries."

• Bert Twaalfhoven, Founder of Indivers and EFER (European Foundation of Entrepreneurship Research) -

"It's quite simple. The success of Ben & Jerry's from the very beginning had to do with really caring for all aspects of the business - our people, our customers, our shareholders, the communities we live in and serve and, of course, the Earth. The reality is that these are really inseparable. That and truly great ice cream, have continued to attract customers, increase shareholder value and nurture creativity. "The Spirit of Entrepreneurship" reveals this integrated approach toentrepreneurship."

• Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's -

  Inhalt
  The Spirit of Entrepreneurship: Beyond Limitations.- The Spirit of Entrepreneurship: Beyond Limitations.- The Spirit of Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Case Findings.- Entrepreneurship Today.- Entrepreneurship Tomorrow.- The Human Factor in Entrepreneurship.- Case Study Design and Participant Background.- Theory Building Through Case Study.- The Human Side of Venturing: Lessons.- The Spirit of Entrepreneurship: Case Studies.- Entrepreneurial Executives.- Venturers.- Re-launchers.- Trend Entrepreneurs.- Family Business Entrepreneurs.- Significant Business Entrepreneurs.- Small Business Entrepreneurs.- Start-Ups.- Enterprising Persons.- Nyenrode The Entrepreneurial University.