Title: The role of entrepreneurship in innovation

Authors: A.J. Berkhout, Dap Hartmann, Paul Trott

Addresses: Faculty of CiTG, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Technology, Governance and Management, Section Technology, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628BX Delft, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Technology, Governance and Management, Section Technology, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628BX Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper examines the role of entrepreneurship and the process of innovation. It looks at some of the transformations occurring within our economies; specifically the growth in knowledge intensive business services (KIBS). It also looks at the changing nature of work within organisations as firms increasingly adopt a project based approach and how the impact of new technologies is affecting the innovation system. The paper argues that existing models of innovation place too much emphasis on technology and science, overlooking organisational factors and customer needs. It illustrates that success in the future is dependent on the role of the entrepreneur in being able to create ideas, form ventures and assess markets. Against this backcloth, this paper proposes a conceptual framework which provides a unique vantage point from which to view the non-linear process of innovation. Furthermore, it helps to illustrate the central role played by the entrepreneur in developing new ventures around potential innovations. This provides firms and policy makers with a fresh way to view the interwoven challenges of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Keywords: innovation; entrepreneurship; transitions; cyclic interaction; nonlinear modelling; sustainable business; knowledge intensive business services; KIBS; new technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2011.040822

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2011 Vol.14 No.1, pp.60 - 79

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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