1 A classic formulation from Shaver and Scott (1991) captures a long line of thinking concerning entrepreneurship:

Economic circumstances are important, social networks are important, entrepreneurial teams are important, marketing is important, fnance is important, even public agency assistance is important. But none of these will, alone, create a new venture. For that we need a person, in whose mind all of the possibilities come together, who believes that innovation is possible, and who has the motivation to persist until the job is done.

At the same time a body of research suggests that fast-growing frms are more likely to have been founded by entrepreneurial teams.

This issue brought up here relates to a vibrant debate concerning where it all starts and if the idea of the entrepreneur as the ‘lone hero’ is still relevant today.

(a)

Set up discussion groups arguing for and against the ideas behind this controversy.

(b)

Collect arguments both for and against. Which side do you agree with?

(c)

Can you imagine a compromise where both sides of the argument are merged into a dynamic both-and stance?