Uncertainty, institutional structure and the entrepreneurial process

While there eltist numerous theories of entrepreneurship, we aim to construct an account that is thoroughly process-oriented and is thus consistent with non-teleological evolutionary foundations. To accomplish this, we combine theories of structural uncertainty with recent work in the theory of social institutions. From such a perspective, creatively thinking and acting e ntrepreneurial individuals can account for endogenous social change through their effect on institutions. Our approach helps to clarify many of the inconsistencies that arise in the existing entrepreneurial literature and we are able to clarify issues of entrepreneurial fai lure, self-employment versus entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs versus managers, and incentive for entrepreneurs in formal versus informal institutional settings.