A commentary on the impacts of 'Great Lockdown' and its aftermath on scaling firms: What are the implications for entrepreneurial research?. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greene, Francis J; Rosiello, Alessandro
• Is Part Of: International small business journal. Volume 38:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: 583
• Page End: 592
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: academic entrepreneurship -- context -- coronavirus pandemic -- COVID-19 -- entrepreneurship policy -- fast growth firms; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.64205
• DOI: 10.1177/0266242620961912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-2426

Abstract

This commentary argues that scaling fast growth firms drive economic development, even in recessionary periods. While the coronavirus induced the 'Great Lockdown' and its aftermath poses particular challenges, we argue that the crisis presents the entrepreneurial scholarly community with an opportunity to re-orientate our research. Rather than more narratives of business success in the face of adversity, the Great Lockdown presents us with a fresh opportunity to examine how scaling is affected by context, by luck and by the porous nature of business growth. In so doing, our hope is that it will encourage our community to adopt a more proactive agenda to support policy makers and entrepreneurs.