Nature of the publicationJournal article
Title of the publicationToward a theological turn in entrepreneurship: How religion could enable transformative research in our field
Journal name/Book publisherJournal of Business Venturing
DOIdoi.org
Abstract

Despite its overwhelming importance to millions of people across the planet both currently and throughout history, religion has been largely neglected by entrepreneurship research. Yet, because of its prevalence, centrality, established base of scientific inquiry, and ability to offer novel insight into emerging phenomena, religion offers numerous opportunities for transformative research. In this editorial, we offer a glimpse of what a “theological turn” in entrepreneurship research might look like: first, by identifying obstacles to religion’s inclusion and how these barriers may be overcome; second, by explaining how the theological turn enables alternative explanations of important phenomena and stimulates research questions that build on the growing integration of religion and entrepreneurship in practice; and finally, by showing how a theological turn could challenge researchers to reach beyond our existing knowledge horizons to develop a future of impactful, relevant, and pioneering scholarship in the field of entrepreneurship.

Author #1Brett Smith
Affiliation Author #1Miami University
Author #2Jeffery McMullen
Affiliation Author #2Indiana University
Author #3Melissa Cardon
Affiliation Author #3University of Tennessee