Socio‐spatial variations in the nature of entrepreneurship

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the discourse that entrepreneurship and enterprise culture are inextricably inter-twinned with profit-driven capitalist endeavour by seeking to understand whether amongst some populations, the culture of entrepreneurship is more socially-oriented than profit-driven. Design/methodology/approach – To do this, a secondary analysis is undertaken of the results of the UK Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in general, and UK Social Entrepreneurship Monitor more particularly. It compares the levels and ratios of commercial-to-social entrepreneurship across various population groups and areas in the UK. Findings – The finding is that there are different cultures of entrepreneurship across varying population groups. Many marginalized groups are more socially-orientated than profit-driven. This is particularly the case amongst the long-term registered disabled (2.3 times more likely to engage in social rather than commercial entrepreneurship than the average UK entrepreneur), other non-White groups (2.2 times more likely) and the retired (twice as likely). Similarly, people living in rural areas display a greater propinquity to engage in social rather than commercial entrepreneurship than those living in urban areas. Research limitations/implications – The findings raise questions about whether it is appropriate to parachute into some populations a culture of commercial entrepreneurship that might be “foreign” to their enterprise culture and whether a focus on social entrepreneurship in the enterprise culture agenda will promote greater inclusiveness of populations traditionally under-represented. Originality/value – This paper is one of the first to document the varying ratios of commercial-to-social entrepreneurship amongst different population groups and areas.