Abstract:

Debate surrounds whether opportunities are effectuation made or causation found when entrepreneurs deal with a future that is unknown and unknowable.  Issues relating to gender and prior business ownership experience (PBOE) have not been illustrated in this discourse.  Building upon insights from effectuation and bricolage theories, narratives from 9 female and 9 male entrepreneurs with no PBOE or PBOE in at least one prior private firm are presented to build theory relating to their actions with reference to means-driven transformation, the technology of foolishness, docility or stakeholder commitments, and leveraging contingencies to ensure a business opportunity is exploited in a resource-constrained context.  Several propositions are presented after the data has talked relating to the opportunity making effectuation process.

Debate surrounds whether opportunities are effectuation made or causation found when entrepreneurs deal with a future that is unknown and unknowable.  Issues relating to gender and prior business ownership experience (PBOE) have not been illustrated in this discourse.  Building upon insights from effectuation and bricolage theories, narratives from 9 female and 9 male entrepreneurs with no PBOE or PBOE in at least one prior private firm are presented to build theory relating to their actions with reference to means-driven transformation, the technology of foolishness, docility or stakeholder commitments, and leveraging contingencies to ensure a business opportunity is exploited in a resource-constrained context.  Several propositions are presented after the data has talked relating to the opportunity making effectuation process.