Abstract
This paper explores how a future–as something that can only be imagined but can inspire entrepreneurial action–can attract economic capital. We integrate Dor’s (2015) model of language as a communication technology for the instruction of imagination with Bourdieu’s theory of practice to account for how an entrepreneur’s words can hold sway over an investor by virtue of meaning something significant. We introduce opportunity capital as the symbolic significance of the entrepreneur’s future-venture story and the exchange counterparty to the investor’s economic capital. Our portrayal of the future as a symbolic phenomenon inducing action by others offers foundational insights to research on the early stages of venturing and the acquisition of resources by entrepreneurs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1145-1160 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Entrepreneurship and Regional Development |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 9-10 |
| Early online date | 9 Apr 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2024 |
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the editor, two anonymous reviewers, and seminar participants at Southampton Business School, Liverpool University Management School, and Audencia Business School for their constructive comments in the development of the paper.Funding
The authors thank the editor, two anonymous reviewers, and seminar participants at Southampton Business School, Liverpool University Management School, and Audencia Business School for their constructive comments in the development of the paper.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Southampton Business School | |
| Liverpool University Management School | |
| Audencia Business School |
Keywords
- Language
- entrepreneur
- future
- instructive communication
- legitimacy
- opportunity
- resource acquisition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics and Econometrics
- Business and International Management