A terminal assessment of stages theory: introducing a dynamic states approach to entrepreneurship

J.D. Levie, Benyamin B. Lichtenstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

267 Citations (Scopus)
334 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Stages of Growth models were the most frequent theoretical approach to understanding entrepreneurial business growth from 1962 to 2006; they built on the growth imperative and developmental models of that time. An analysis of the universe of such models (N=104) published in the management literature shows no consensus on basic constructs of the approach, nor is there any empirical confirmations of stages theory. However, by changing two propositions of the stages models, a new dynamic states approach is derived. The dynamic states approach has far greater explanatory power than its precursor, and is compatible with leading edge research in entrepreneurship.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)317-350
Number of pages34
JournalEntrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Volume34
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2010

Keywords

  • stages of growth
  • life cycle
  • new ventures
  • entrepreneurship theory
  • complexity science

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