Abstract
In this dissertation, I have examined lead user-based social entrepreneurship, focusing on whether personal unmet needs and lead user characteristics influence starting a social business. I used personal unmet needs as a starting point to examine social entrepreneurship. For this reason, this dissertation has two parts, with part 1 focusing on lead user-based social entrepreneurship and part 2 on personal unmet needs. The overarching research questions of this dissertation were: Do lead user-innovators become social entrepreneurs; if so, how? And: What are personal unmet needs’ roles in this?
The answer to the main research question is that in some instances, lead users become social entrepreneurs; however, it is rare for an individual to score high both on ahead of trend and high expected benefits. It is more likely is that user-innovators becomes social entrepreneurs, because they have high expectations of the innovation-related benefits; however, they are not ahead of trend. This dissertation highlights the roles of personal unmet needs caused by exogenous events or life changes as a trigger for the user-based social entrepreneurial process. Further, I have emphasized the roles of market and governmental failures as a trigger of the user-based social entrepreneurial process.
The answer to the main research question is that in some instances, lead users become social entrepreneurs; however, it is rare for an individual to score high both on ahead of trend and high expected benefits. It is more likely is that user-innovators becomes social entrepreneurs, because they have high expectations of the innovation-related benefits; however, they are not ahead of trend. This dissertation highlights the roles of personal unmet needs caused by exogenous events or life changes as a trigger for the user-based social entrepreneurial process. Further, I have emphasized the roles of market and governmental failures as a trigger of the user-based social entrepreneurial process.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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Award date | 20 Feb 2020 |
Place of Publication | Enschede |
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Print ISBNs | 978-90-365-4968-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Feb 2020 |