Studying Choice and Change: The Intersection of Institutional Theory and Entrepreneurship Research

Abstract

Although there are many potential points of intersection between institutional theory and contemporary studies of entrepreneurship, these have generally remained distinct literatures, with the connections left more implicit than explicit. We argue that there are a number of benefits to explicitly articulating the links between these bodies of scholarship. In this context, we review work that relates to two key questions we believe are especially likely to benefit from the integration of these literatures—namely, how do institutions affect entrepreneurial choices? And how is entrepreneurship related to changes in institutions? We conclude by considering a number of topics for future research suggested by this integration.