APPROACHING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF CORPORATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP - FOCUSING ON CO-EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES

Previous studies on CE behaviour and processes have neglected the role of employees, as the focus has been on one-way relationships (top-down) and the interaction between them. We question the straightforward model of CE implementation and suggest causality between different elements. This conceptual study discusses the different organisational and individual pre-requisites in order to promote understanding of how they confront in the CE context. We propose that top-down and bottom-up influences are parallel terms describing the co-evolution of managerial and employee behaviour and organisational structures. We conclude by introducing the concept of implementation and influencing modalities and conversational space, which enables the ‘voices’ of managers and subordinates to meet and negotiate. Finally, we argue that CE is a two-way interactive and recursive process in which structures and managerial initiatives affect individual behaviour, and individual behaviour affects structures and management behaviour. The paper discusses the implications and gives direction for further research endeavours.