Title: Political entrepreneurship in new small ventures: the case of IMS

Authors: Anna Bengtson, Amjad Hadjikhani, Cecilia Pahlberg

Addresses: Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751-20 Uppsala, Sweden. ' Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751-20 Uppsala, Sweden. ' Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751-20 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract: This article introduces the view of political entrepreneurship, which is based on the development of unique interaction with political units to assist firms in their business. Based on a business network perspective, the aim is to develop a theoretical frame for analysis of this interaction. The question raised is how small entrepreneurs can develop relationships with political units in order to strengthen their business opportunities. Relationship commitment and knowledge are introduced as managerial elements determining the firms| influential and adaptive behaviour. A case study of a new venture in life science is used to illustrate the reasoning. The results manifest how even small firms can use their resources and knowledge to develop specific relationships with political units that support their business efforts. Issues related to loosely coupled relationships are brought forward as a theoretical foundation to aid the understanding of political entrepreneurship.

Keywords: political entrepreneurship; business networks; small firms; life science; commitment; knowledge; political units; relationship commitment; entrepreneurial venturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2011.037856

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.26 - 43

Published online: 22 Oct 2014 *

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