Using phenomenology in entrepreneurship research

Abstract

What does it mean to be entrepreneurial? This paper examines how this type of question can be addressed using a phenomenological approach. It discusses the basis of phenomenology philosophy and uses an example of research that examines the lived experience of entrepreneurs who receive or give money to start an enterprise from their close family. The philosophy is used as the basis for the development and design of the research project. The impact of the philosophical decisions regarding how data is collected and treated is discussed and illustrated through the example. By doing this, the paper is an important contribution to the call for more diverse methodological approaches to the study of entrepreneurship. It illustrates how a phenomenological research methodology can contribute to research in this field. A deep and rich understanding of the lived world of entrepreneurs is valuable to researchers, practitioners and policy makers because this activity is embedded in a human rather than a natural science.