The Ideology of Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Robert Eberhart
Aug 28, 2023
auto_awesome
Robert Eberhart, Associate Professor of Management and Faculty Director of International Business at the University of San Diego, discusses the ideology of entrepreneurship and how it diverges from real business experiences. They also explore the impact of the entrepreneurial ideology on work arrangements, the challenges faced in the wine business, debunking stereotypes about successful entrepreneurs, and the academic perception of entrepreneurship. The speakers reveal their ongoing research projects and express gratitude towards contributors.
The ideology of entrepreneurship justifies inequality and overlooks privilege and social safety nets, leading to an unequal distribution of opportunities.
The shift from a social contract based on hard work and loyalty to individual risk-taking and self-empowerment has reinforced the entrepreneurial ideology.
The entrepreneurship ideology shapes individuals' beliefs about work, justifies inequality, and masks inherent limitations within employment models.
Deep dives
The Influence of Entrepreneurship Ideology on Inequality and Social Strife
The ideology of entrepreneurship has emerged as a core aspect justifying inequality in the United States. It suggests that success is attainable through hard work and risk-taking, and that inequality is a natural outcome of entrepreneurial effort and value creation. However, this ideology overlooks the privilege and social safety nets that often accompany entrepreneurship, leading to an unequal distribution of opportunities. Furthermore, the belief that failure is an integral part of the entrepreneurial journey serves as a calming element, preventing social unrest and dissent. Understanding the impact of this ideology is crucial for addressing economic inequality and promoting social cohesion.
Historical Evolution of Work Arrangements and the Entrepreneurship Ideology
The work arrangement in the post-war era, known as the age of security, fostered a social contract where hard work and loyalty were rewarded with the possibility of advancement. However, this arrangement began to crumble in the 1970s due to economic crises and changing perceptions of the economy. This led to the rise of the entrepreneurial ideology, which shifted the focus from social contracts to individual risk-taking and self-empowerment. The financialization of the economy, accompanied by dismantling of regulations, further reinforced this ideology. The historical analysis highlights the emergence of a new work arrangement that fosters a division between those inside organizations, benefiting from entrepreneurial efforts, and those outside, encouraged to take risks and become entrepreneurs themselves.
Impact of the Entrepreneurship Ideology on Employment Relations
The entrepreneurship ideology has significant implications for employment relations. The paper examines the case of temporary workers in California who supported a proposition to legalize temporary employment without full benefits. They viewed themselves as entrepreneurs and embraced this arrangement as emancipatory, despite being devoid of many benefits of entrepreneurship. The paper argues that such perspectives are a result of the entrepreneurial ideology, which shapes individuals' beliefs about work and justifies inequality. The ideology perpetuates the idea that success is attainable through hard work and risk-taking, masking the inherent inequalities and limitations within the temporary employment model. This highlights the need to critically examine the impact of the entrepreneurship ideology on employment relations and its potential consequences.
Entrepreneurship and the Importance of Social Networks
The podcast episode discusses the importance of social networks and expertise in the market for entrepreneurial success. The speaker shares their personal experience of starting a wine business without prior knowledge of the industry. They highlight how having the right connections and expertise can be crucial in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. They mention the role of their friend, who helped them find an industry expert to join their company, which facilitated their supply chain. Additionally, they emphasize the significance of social connections and how they can contribute to entrepreneurial success.
The Role of Legitimacy and Resources in Entrepreneurship
Another main point discussed in the podcast is the importance of legitimacy and resources in entrepreneurship. The speaker shares examples from their own experiences and research. They explain how regulations and certifications can act as signals of legitimacy, impacting access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs. They mention the challenges faced by certain groups, like women, in gaining legitimacy and access to capital. The speaker also highlights the need for entrepreneurs to have a deep understanding of market opportunities and the ability to gather resources. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the need to consider social networks, legitimacy, and expertise in entrepreneurship.
Robert Eberhart, Associate Professor of Management and Faculty Director of International Business at the University of San Diego, talks about his work on the ideology of entrepreneurship with Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel. Eberhart's work is partly motivated by his own work as a businessman and successful entrepreneur and finding that academic publications from business schools significantly diverged from his and others' experiences in actual businesses. Eberhart and Vinsel also talk about how Eberhart has drawn together teams of researchers, including at the Reversing the Arrow conference, to study the ideological dimensions of entrepreneurship and how it has spread around the globe.
Lee Vinsel is an associate professor in the Department of Science, Technology and Society at Virginia Tech. He studies human life with technology, with particular focus on the relationship between government, business, and technological change. His first book, Moving Violations: Automobiles, Experts, and Regulations in the United States, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press in July 2019.
