Handbook of Research Methods and Applications in Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Second Edition

This Handbook examines the diverse methodologies and philosophies employed in research on entrepreneurship, small enterprises and family businesses. Exploring fundamental questions involved in data collection, this new and updated edition emphasises the increased importance of understanding the nuances of methods and applications in today’s research landscape.

Building on rich scholarly traditions, the Handbook places particular focus on ignored and misunderstood research concepts. New chapters consider the complex ethical dilemmas facing researchers in entrepreneurship and assess how to best leverage large-scale secondary data for maximum research impact. Expert contributors analyse key issues in the field including how to measure progress in research, experimental methods, theory development and testing, and how to conduct cross-cultural studies. They identify fruitful research directions for emerging and seasoned scholars, demonstrating how to produce work that is both practical and theoretically important.

Covering both quantitative and qualitative techniques, this Handbook is an essential resource for students and scholars of entrepreneurship. It is also a valuable read for academics across business and management more widely, providing a detailed overview of essential methods for all researchers in the field.

Edited by Malin Brännback, Dean and Chaired Professor of International Business, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, Alan L. Carsrud, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, and Carsrud & Associates, Consultants to Entrepreneurs & Family Firms, Texas, USA, Diana M. Hechavarria, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Julian E. Lange Term Chair, Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship,, USA and Jill Kickul, Distinguished University Professor, EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico