Qualitative Research in Entrepreneurship Studies: A State-of-Science

Abstract

Qualitative research is becoming increasingly popular in organisational studies. There is growing consensus that qualitative research contributes positively to the diversity of academic inquiry in entrepreneurship, advancing rich and novel insights about entrepreneurial phenomena. We conduct the first large-scale synthesis of the qualitative entrepreneurship research literature. Based on a sample of 460 articles published across 45 quality journals, we offer an in-depth analysis of the state of qualitative research in entrepreneurship and unearth specific patterns in common practices of published qualitative investigations. Our analysis reveals several potentially fruitful avenues for the continued application of qualitative approaches in entrepreneurship research (e.g. entrepreneur-opportunity nexus). Suggestions on why and how to use qualitative research are provided, and recommendations are offered to guide future qualitative studies to advance better understanding of entrepreneurial phenomena.